Community identification

Bird Mite

Ornithonyssus sylviarum / Dermanyssus gallinae

Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata; Family: Macronyssidae / Dermanyssidae
Size: 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm (nearly microscopic, appearing as tiny crawling specks)

Natural Habitat

Nests of wild or domestic birds, often migrating into homes when birds leave the nest

Blood of birds/poultry; may bite humans but cannot survive on human blood alone

Extremely active and fast-moving; typically nocturnal and attracted to heat and carbon dioxide

Causes intense itching and skin irritation/dermatitis in humans; can be a major pest in poultry industries