Bird Mite

Natural Habitat

Found in bird nests (pigeons, starlings, sparrows) and near window sills, vents, or eaves where birds roost.

Diet & Feeding

Blood from avian hosts (birds); they may bite humans if their bird host leaves the nest, but they cannot survive on human blood.

Behavior Patterns

Very active; they crawl rapidly and are most active at night or on warm days when searching for a new host. They often enter homes when fledglings leave the nest.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include skin irritation and intense itching (dermatitis) from bites; they are not known to transmit diseases to humans but can cause psychological distress.

Identified on: 1/1/2026