Bird Mite
Ornithonyssus sylviarum or Dermanyssus gallinae
- Order & Family
- Order: Mesostigmata; Family: Macronyssidae or Dermanyssidae
- Size
- 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm (very small to nearly invisible without magnification)
Natural Habitat
Nests of wild or domestic birds including pigeons, starlings, and poultry; often migrate into homes if the host birds leave or the nest is removed.
Diet & Feeding
Obligate blood parasites that primarily feed on the blood of birds, though they will bite humans and other mammals if their primary host is unavailable.
Behavior Patterns
They are highly active crawlers that migrate in large numbers. Generally most active during late spring and summer when bird nests are vacated. They cannot complete their life cycle on humans but can survive for several weeks without a bird host.
Risks & Benefits
They pose no ecosystem benefits to humans and are considered pests. In humans, their bites cause intense itching, red welts, and irritation. While they do not transmit diseases to humans, they can cause significant stress and dermatitis.