Bird Mite
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus sylviarum / Dermanyssus gallinae
Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata; Family: Macronyssidae / Dermanyssidae
Size: 0.5 to 1.0 mm (barely visible to the naked eye; appearance of a walking speck)
Natural Habitat
Found in bird nests (sparrows, starlings, pigeons) or in buildings near nesting sites; often enter homes through windows or vents once hosts leave the nest.
Diet & Feeding
Blood of avian hosts. They may bite humans when their bird hosts are no longer available, though they cannot survive or reproduce on human blood alone.
Behavior Patterns
Extremely active and fast-moving. They are most active during the night or in humid conditions and tend to aggregate in large numbers near a host source.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Can cause intense itching, skin irritation, and dermatitis in humans from bites. They do not transmit diseases to humans but are significant household pests. Benefits: None to humans or the ecosystem; they are parasitic.
Identified on: 1/13/2026