Bird Mite
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus sylviarum / Dermanyssus gallinae
Order & Family: Order Mesostigmata, Family Macronyssidae or Dermanyssidae
Size: 0.5 mm to 1 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Found near bird nests, poultry farms, or residential areas where birds nest on structures
Diet & Feeding
Obligate hematophages; they feed exclusively on the blood of birds and occasionally other mammals
Behavior Patterns
Active primarily at night; they can wander into homes when their bird hosts leave the nest, crawling into upholstery or bedding
Risks & Benefits
They do not transmit diseases to humans but their bites cause intense itching and dermatitis; they are significant pests in the poultry industry
Identified on: 6/23/2026