Bird Mite
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus sylviarum or Dermanyssus gallinae
Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata, Family: Macronyssidae or Dermanyssidae
Size: 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm (barely visible to the naked eye, appearing as moving specks)
Natural Habitat
Found in bird nests (sparrows, pigeons, starlings) and can enter homes via windows, vents, or chimneys when birds leave the nest.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous (blood-feeding); they primarily feed on the blood of birds but will bite humans and pets if their primary host is unavailable.
Behavior Patterns
They are highly active, semi-transparent to yellowish until they feed, after which they turn dark red or brown. They are most active at night and tend to congregate in areas where people sleep or sit.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching, skin irritation, and dermatitis from bites. While they do not transmit diseases to humans or survive long on human blood alone, they are a significant nuisance pest. They offer no benefits to the ecosystem.
Identified on: 1/13/2026