Bird Mite
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus sylviarum or Dermanyssus gallinae
Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata, Family: Macronyssidae or Dermanyssidae
Size: Approximately 0.5 to 1.0 mm (hardly visible to the naked eye without magnification).
Natural Habitat
Found in bird nests, poultry houses, and occasionally in homes when bird hosts leave the nest.
Diet & Feeding
Strictly hematophagous; they feed on the blood of birds and occasionally mammals, including humans.
Behavior Patterns
They are semi-permanent parasites that reside in nests or on bird hosts. If host birds migrate or perish, they move into buildings seeking new blood sources, often active at night.
Risks & Benefits
They do not transmit diseases to humans but their bites cause intense itching, irritation, and dermatitis. They offer no ecological benefits and are considered pests.
Identified on: 3/12/2026