Bird Lice (Chewing Lice)

Found exclusively on the bodies of birds, specifically within feathers; may enter homes if birds nest in eaves or chimneys.

Scavengers that feed on skin fragments, feather parts, blood, and skin secretions.

They are permanent ectoparasites and cannot survive long off the host. They move by crawling through feathers and glue their eggs (nits) to feather shafts.

Generally not a health risk to humans as they are host-specific and cannot reproduce on human blood. They can cause irritation, feather damage, and stress to the host birds.