Bird Mite
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus sylviarum / Dermanyssus gallinae
Order & Family: Order Mesostigmata, Family Macronyssidae / Dermanyssidae
Size: Very small, approximately 0.5 to 1.0 mm (barely visible to the naked eye, appearing as moving specks or 'pepper').
Natural Habitat
Typically found in bird nests (sparrows, starlings, pigeons) on or near buildings; they enter homes through windows or vents when hosts leave the nest.
Diet & Feeding
Blood of birds/poultry; however, they will bite humans and other mammals if their primary bird host is unavailable.
Behavior Patterns
Active year-round but most common in spring and early summer. They are semi-transparent but turn reddish or dark brown after a blood meal. They cannot survive long or reproduce on human blood.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching, skin irritation, and dermatitis in humans from bites. They do not typically transmit diseases to humans but are considered a significant nuisance pest. Benefit is negligible to human ecosystems.
Identified on: 12/28/2025