Bird Mite (or possibly Rodent Mite)
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus spp. (e.g., Ornithonyssus sylviarum - Northern Fowl Mite)
Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata; Family: Macronyssidae
Size: Extremely small, usually less than 1 mm (0.7mm to 1mm), barely visible to the naked eye.
Natural Habitat
Typically found in bird nests (pigeons, sparrows, starlings) located in attics, gutters, or eaves. They migrate indoors after birds leave the nest.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous (blood-feeding); primarily feeds on the blood of birds, but will bite humans and pets opportunistically if the primary host is absent.
Behavior Patterns
They are nocturnal and extremely active, crawling quickly. They require a blood meal to reproduce. If their bird host abandons a nest, mites will migrate through vents, cracks, and windows searching for a new host.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Their bites cause intense itching, red welts, and skin irritation in humans (acariasis). While nuisance pests, they are generally not known to transmit diseases to humans. Benefits: None in a domestic setting.
Identified on: 2/25/2026