Bird Louse

Natural Habitat

As an external parasite, they live on the skin and feathers of birds worldwide.

Diet & Feeding

Feeding on feathers, scales, skin debris, and occasionally blood if the skin is broken.

Behavior Patterns

They spend their entire life cycle on a host bird, attaching eggs to feathers. They are wingless and move by crawling between feathers.

Risks & Benefits

Potentially harmful to host birds, causing irritation, feather loss, or secondary infections. They typically do not survive long on humans and are not a significant health risk to people.

Identified on: 6/27/2026