Bird Mite

Natural Habitat

Typically found in bird nests (pigeons, starlings, sparrows) or in homes near nesting sites, often entering through windows or vents.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate blood-feeders; they primarily feed on the blood of birds but will bite humans and other mammals if their primary host is unavailable.

Behavior Patterns

They are most active at night. When bird hosts leave the nest (fledging), the mites disperse in search of a new blood source. They cannot complete their life cycle on human blood but can survive for several weeks without a host.

Risks & Benefits

They cause intense itching, skin irritation, and dermatitis in humans. While they do not transmit diseases to humans, they are significant pests in the poultry industry and can cause severe anemia or death in young birds.

Identified on: 1/6/2026