Bird Mite

Often found in bird nests (pigeons, starlings, sparrows) or in homes after birds have left a nearby nest.

Blood of birds (primary host) but will bite humans and other mammals if their primary host is unavailable.

Highly active at night; they crawl out of nesting materials to find hosts. They cannot complete their life cycle on human blood alone.

Causes intense itching and skin irritation in humans (gamasidosis). They do not transmit significant diseases to humans but are major pests to poultry and wild birds.