Bug Identifier
Bird Mite
Community identification

Bird Mite

Ornithonyssus sylviarum / Dermanyssus gallinae

Order & Family
Order: Mesostigmata; Family: Macronyssidae / Dermanyssidae
Size
0.5 mm to 1.0 mm (barely visible to the naked eye)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Nests of wild or domestic birds; often found indoors after abandoned nests are located near windows or vents.

Diet & Feeding

Strict blood-feeders; they primarily feed on birds but will bite humans and other mammals if their primary host is unavailable.

Behavior Patterns

Highly active and mobile; they move quickly across surfaces looking for a host. They exhibit seasonal activity, often peaking in late spring and early summer when birds fledge.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Their bites cause intense itching, red welts, and potential secondary skin infections from scratching. They do not typically transmit diseases to humans. Benefits: None to humans; they are considered parasitic pests.