Community identification
Bird Mite
Ornithonyssus sylviarum / Dermanyssus gallinae
- Order & Family
- Order: Mesostigmata; Family: Macronyssidae or Dermanyssidae
- Size
- 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm (pinhead sized, barely visible to the naked eye).
Natural Habitat
Found near bird nests, poultry houses, or inside homes where birds nest on the structure (eaves, AC units).
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous; they feed primarily on the blood of birds but will bite humans if their bird host leaves.
Behavior Patterns
Active at night; they are highly mobile and can travel from nests through cracks or ventilation into living spaces.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching, skin irritation, and dermatitis in humans. They do not live or reproduce on humans but can cause significant discomfort.