Soft Tick (likely a Pigeon Tick or Fowl Tick)

Typically found in bird nests (especially pigeons) or poultry houses, and often in cracks/crevices of structures near where hosts roost.

Obligate blood-feeders; they primarily feed on the blood of birds but will bite humans if their preferred hosts are removed or if they are in close proximity.

Unlike hard ticks, soft ticks are multi-host parasites that take several short blood meals. They are nocturnal and hide in crevices during the day, coming out at night to feed quickly on a sleeping host.

Risks: Their bites can cause severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis in sensitized individuals. They can transmit pathogens like Borrelia species. They offer no notable benefits to humans or the ecosystem as they are parasites.