Bird Mite
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus spp. (likely Ornithonyssus bursa or Ornithonyssus sylviarum)
Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata, Family: Macronyssidae
Size: Very small, approximately 0.5 mm to 1 mm in length, often visible to the naked eye as tiny moving specks.
Natural Habitat
Typically found in bird nests (e.g., pigeons, starlings, sparrows) located in attics, eaves, or vents. They migrate into human dwellings when their bird hosts leave the nest.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous (feed on the blood of their avian hosts). In the absence of birds, they will attempt to bite humans or pets but cannot survive on non-avian blood.
Behavior Patterns
They are nocturnal or active when temperatures rise. They reproduce rapidly and can migrate significant distances within a home searching for a host. They tend to congregate near windows or heat sources.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Their bites cause intense itching, rashes, and crawling sensations in humans. While generally considered harmless disease-wise to humans, the infestation can be highly distressing. Benefit: None to humans or households; they are parasitic pests.
Identified on: 3/1/2026