Bird Mite
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus sylviarum
Order & Family: Order Mesostigmata, Family Macronyssidae
Size: 0.5 mm to 1 mm (often appearing as tiny dark or reddish specks)
Natural Habitat
Found in or around bird nests, poultry houses, and occasionally in homes near bird nesting sites on windowsills or vents.
Diet & Feeding
Blood of birds (preferred host), but will bite humans and other mammals if their bird host leaves the nest.
Behavior Patterns
They are external parasites that complete their life cycle on or near the host. They are most active when bird fledglings leave the nest, prompting the mites to seek new hosts.
Risks & Benefits
Can cause intense itching, skin irritation, and dermatitis in humans. They do not live on humans or transmit diseases to them, but are a significant pest to the poultry industry.
Identified on: 3/5/2026