Bird Louse

Natural Habitat

Host-specific; living among the feathers or on the skin of various bird species worldwide.

Diet & Feeding

Feeds on feathers, skin fragments, cellular debris, and sometimes blood.

Behavior Patterns

Wingless, dorso-ventrally flattened parasites that spend their entire life cycle on a host bird, attaching eggs (nits) to feathers.

Risks & Benefits

Can cause irritation, feather damage, and anemia in birds but generally do not infest humans, though they may cause temporary skin irritation if handled.

Identified on: 2/8/2026