Bird Mite (Northern Fowl Mite or Chicken Mite)
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus sylviarum / Dermanyssus gallinae
Order & Family: Order Mesostigmata, Family Macronyssidae or Dermanyssidae
Size: 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm (barely visible to the naked eye as tiny moving specks)
Natural Habitat
Typically found on domestic and wild birds and in their nests. They may enter homes through windows or vents if bird nests are nearby.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous (blood-feeders). They primarily feed on bird blood but will bite humans if their primary bird host is gone.
Behavior Patterns
They are highly mobile and phototactic. They often leave nests after fledglings have left, seeking new hosts for a blood meal to survive.
Risks & Benefits
Risk: Causes intense itching, irritation, and dermatitis in humans. They do not transmit human diseases but can be a nuisance and cause psychological distress. No known ecological benefit to humans.
Identified on: 5/21/2026