Bird Lice

Feathers and skin of wild and domestic birds, occasionally found in homes near abandoned bird nests

Bird lice predominantly feed on feathers, skin fragments, and cellular debris; some species consume blood from existing wounds

They are obligate ectoparasites that spend their entire life cycle on the host, moving between hosts through direct contact or nesting materials

They do not live on humans but can cause temporary skin irritation or 'crawling' sensations in people if a nest is nearby; they are pests to poultry and wild birds