Bird Mite
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Northern fowl mite) or Dermanyssus gallinae (Red poultry mite)
Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata, Family: Macronyssidae or Dermanyssidae
Size: 0.5 to 1.0 mm (barely visible to the naked eye; often appear as tiny moving specks)
Natural Habitat
Found in bird nests (including pigeons, starlings, and sparrows), poultry houses, and occasionally indoor spaces near nesting sites such as eaves or window ledges.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate blood-feeders. They primarily feed on the blood of birds but will bite humans and other mammals if their bird hosts are unavailable.
Behavior Patterns
Nymphs and adults are active crawlers. They are most active at night. If a bird nest is abandoned or removed, the mites will migrate into buildings through cracks and crevices in search of a new host.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include painful, itchy skin irritations and dermatitis in humans. While they cannot sustain a population or reproduce on human blood, their bites cause significant discomfort. They are pests to the poultry industry, causing anemia and reduced egg production in birds.
Identified on: 5/4/2026