Bird Mites
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Northern Fowl Mite) or Dermanyssus gallinae (Red Mite)
Order & Family: Parasitiformes, Macronyssidae (for Ornithonyssus) or Dermanyssidae (for Dermanyssus)
Size: 0.5 - 1 mm (less than 1/20 inch)
Natural Habitat
Nests and bodies of birds (especially poultry and wild birds). Can infest homes, especially after birds abandon a nest near or in a structure.
Diet & Feeding
Blood of birds. They are ectoparasites.
Behavior Patterns
Bird mites spend most of their lives on their bird hosts. When a host dies or abandons a nest, they seek new hosts and may invade homes in large numbers, biting humans in search of a blood meal. They are primarily nocturnal but can be active during the day if heavily infested.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Can cause irritating bites to humans, leading to red, itchy welts that can be mistaken for other insect bites. While they do not typically survive on human blood for long, their bites can cause discomfort and anxiety. They do not transmit diseases to humans. Benefits: None known due to their parasitic nature and potential for human irritation.
Identified on: 10/26/2025