Bird Mites (also known as Poultry Mites)
Scientific Name: Dermanyssus gallinae / Ornithonyssus sylviarum
Order & Family: Mesostigmata: Dermanyssidae / Macronyssidae
Size: 0.7 mm to 1 mm in length (barely visible to the naked eye)
Natural Habitat
Commonly found in bird nests (sparrows, pigeons, starlings) and on poultry. They may enter homes when birds leave the nest.
Diet & Feeding
Blood of birds; however, they will bite humans and other mammals if their primary bird hosts are unavailable.
Behavior Patterns
They are primarily active at night and hide in cracks or crevices during the day. They have a rapid life cycle and can multiply quickly in warm conditions.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching, skin irritation, and dermatitis in humans. While they cannot maintain a life cycle on human blood, they can be a significant household pest and cause severe stress to avian hosts.
Identified on: 3/12/2026