Bird Mite or Rodent Mite
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus spp. or Liponyssus spp.
Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata, Family: Macronyssidae
Size: Roughly 0.5 to 1.0 mm (hard to see with the naked eye until they have fed).
Natural Habitat
Typically found in bird nests (e.g., pigeons, starlings) or rodent burrows; they enter homes when their host dies or leaves the nest.
Diet & Feeding
Strictly blood-feeders (hematophagous); they normally feed on birds or rodents but will bite humans if their primary host is unavailable.
Behavior Patterns
Extremely active crawlers; they are semi-transparent but turn reddish-brown after a blood meal. They cannot survive for more than a few weeks without a host.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Can cause intense itching and skin irritation (dermatitis) in humans through bites. Benefits: None to humans; they are considered household pests.
Identified on: 4/16/2026