Bird Mite
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus sylviarum / Dermanyssus gallinae
Order & Family: Order Mesostigmata, Family Macronyssidae or Dermanyssidae
Size: 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm (barely visible to the naked eye)
Natural Habitat
Found in bird nests, poultry houses, and occasionally inside homes if host birds are nesting near vents or windows.
Diet & Feeding
Strict blood-feeders that primarily target birds (poultry, pigeons, sparrows) but will bite mammals if a bird host is unavailable.
Behavior Patterns
They are semi-permanent parasites. If their bird host leaves the nest, the mites migrate in large numbers into buildings seeking a new host. They are most active at night.
Risks & Benefits
Risk: They cause intense itching and skin irritation (dermatitis) in humans. They do not live or reproduce on humans but can cause significant discomfort. Benefit: None to humans; they are considered household and agricultural pests.
Identified on: 4/14/2026