Community identification
Bird Mite
Ornithonyssus sylviarum / Dermanyssus gallinae
- Order & Family
- Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae / Dermanyssidae
- Size
- 0.5 mm to 1 mm (extremely small, resembling a moving speck of dust or pepper)
Natural Habitat
Bird nests, poultry houses, and occasionally in indoor spaces near exterior bird nests.
Diet & Feeding
The blood of birds; however, they may bite humans if their primary bird host is unavailable.
Behavior Patterns
They are highly active crawlers that search for a host. They cannot fly or jump. If a bird nest is abandoned or removed, they migrate into nearby homes looking for food.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include skin irritation, itching, and red bumps in humans. They do not transmit diseases to humans but can cause significant stress. They have no known benefits to the ecosystem.