Bug Identifier
Bird Mite
Community identification

Bird Mite

Ornithonyssus sylviarum / Dermanyssus gallinae

Order & Family
Order: Mesostigmata; Family: Macronyssidae or Dermanyssidae
Size
Approximately 0.5 mm to 1 mm (hardly visible to the naked eye until they feed).
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Found near bird nests, especially around windows, vents, and eaves; can migrate indoors when birds leave the nest.

Diet & Feeding

Strictly hematophagous (blood-feeders), typically targeting birds but will bite mammals if a primary host is unavailable.

Behavior Patterns

They are highly mobile, active during the night or overcast days, and exhibit a crawling behavior. They cannot fly or jump but can travel significant distances to find a host.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include skin irritation, intense itching (mamasiasis), and potential secondary infections from scratching. They are considered pests and do not provide ecological benefits in a domestic human setting.