Bird Mite
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus sylviarum / Dermanyssus gallinae
Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata, Family: Macronyssidae or Dermanyssidae
Size: 0.5 to 1.0 mm (barely visible to the naked eye; often appear as tiny moving specks)
Natural Habitat
Found in bird nests (pigeons, starlings, sparrows) and poultry houses, but may enter human dwellings if birds are nesting on or near the building.
Diet & Feeding
Strictly hematophagous (blood-feeders), typically feeding on the blood of birds, but will bite humans when their primary hosts are unavailable.
Behavior Patterns
They are highly active and mobile, often searching for new hosts when a bird nest is abandoned. They typically feed at night and hide in crevices during the day.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Can cause intense itching, skin irritation, and dermatitis in humans. They do not live or reproduce on humans but can cause significant discomfort. Benefits: None to humans or the ecosystem.
Identified on: 12/27/2025