Bird Lice (Pigeon Louse)

Feathers of birds, particularly feral pigeons and domestic doves; can be found in nests or briefly on surfaces near bird activity.

They feed on the keratin of feathers, down, and skin dander; they are chewing lice and do not suck blood like mammalian lice.

They are permanent ectoparasites that spend their entire life cycle on the host. They use specialized legs to cling to feather barbs and can move quickly between feathers to avoid preening.

They do not live on humans or bite mammals, as they are host-specific. They pose a risk to the host bird by damaging plumage and causing irritation, but they are beneficial to the ecosystem as a food source for other small predatory insects.