Bird mite
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus sylviarum / Dermanyssus gallinae
Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata; Family: Macronyssidae or Dermanyssidae
Size: 0.5 to 1.0 mm (hardly visible to the naked eye; similar to a speck of dust)
Natural Habitat
Found in bird nests, poultry houses, and occasionally in homes near window ledges or vents where birds nest.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate blood-feeders. They primarily feed on the blood of birds but will bite humans if their avian hosts are unavailable.
Behavior Patterns
They are highly mobile and active during the day or night depending on the species. They complete their life cycle rapidly (approx. 7-12 days) and can migrate into buildings when bird hosts flee the nest.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Can cause intense itching, skin irritation, and dermatitis in humans through bites. They do not live on humans permanently. Benefits: None to humans; part of the natural parasite ecosystem for birds.
Identified on: 12/27/2025