Bird Mite
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus sylviarum / Dermanyssus gallinae
Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata; Family: Macronyssidae / Dermanyssidae
Size: 0.5mm to 1.0mm (barely visible to the naked eye; appearing as walking specks)
Natural Habitat
Nests of wild or domestic birds (pigeons, starlings, sparrows, chickens), eaves, window ledges, and ventilation systems; sometimes entering homes when birds leave the nest.
Diet & Feeding
Blood of birds (primary host); they may bite humans if their primary host is unavailable, though they cannot survive on human blood alone.
Behavior Patterns
They are active primarily at night, seeking hosts to feed on. They have a rapid life cycle (approx. 7 days), and can survive for several weeks without a host.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include skin irritation, itching, and dermatitis (gamasoidosis) in humans. They do not transmit diseases to humans but are significant pests to the poultry industry. There are no ecological benefits to humans.
Identified on: 4/4/2026