Bird mite / Bird louse
Scientific Name: Dermanyssus gallinae or Ornithonyssus sylviarum
Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata; Family: Dermanyssidae or Macronyssidae
Size: 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm (very small, often appearing as tiny moving specks)
Natural Habitat
Commonly found in bird nests, poultry houses, and occasionally inside homes when birds nest near air vents or windows.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate blood-feeders; they primarily feed on the blood of birds but will bite humans if their avian hosts are unavailable.
Behavior Patterns
They are most active at night. They have a rapid life cycle and can multiply quickly in warm conditions. When a bird host leaves the nest, mites migrate in search of a new food source.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Their bites can cause intense itching, skin irritation, and dermatitis in humans. They do not typically survive long or reproduce on human blood alone. Benefits: None to humans; they are considered significant pests in the poultry industry.
Identified on: 1/13/2026