Bird Mite
Scientific Name: Dermanyssus gallinae / Ornithonyssus sylviarum
Order & Family: Order Mesostigmata, Family Dermanyssidae or Macronyssidae
Size: 0.5 mm to 1 mm (extremely small, often appearing as moving specks)
Natural Habitat
In and around bird nests on residential or commercial buildings
Diet & Feeding
Blood from birds; will occasionally bite humans if a bird host is unavailable
Behavior Patterns
Active mostly at night, searching for hosts to feed on; they reproduce rapidly near nesting sites
Risks & Benefits
Causes intense itching and skin irritation in humans (gamasidiosis); they do not live on humans but can be a nuisance persistent pest
Identified on: 2/26/2026