Community identification
Bird Mite
Ornithonyssus sylviarum or Dermanyssus gallinae
- Order & Family
- Order Mesostigmata, Family Macronyssidae or Dermanyssidae
- Size
- 0.7 mm to 1 mm (extremely small, barely visible to the naked eye)
Natural Habitat
Found in bird nests (pigeons, starlings, sparrows) and nearby human dwellings when birds depart.
Diet & Feeding
Blood of avian hosts; will bite humans if birds are unavailable, though they cannot survive on human blood alone.
Behavior Patterns
Semi-permanent parasites that stay on the host or hide in cracks near nesting sites during the day followed by nocturnal feeding.
Risks & Benefits
Can cause intense skin irritation, itching, and dermatitis in humans; primarily an ecosystem pest that impacts poultry health.