Bird Nest Mite or Fowl Mite

Natural Habitat

Found in bird nests, poultry houses, and occasionally inside homes when birds nest on or near buildings.

Diet & Feeding

Obligate blood-feeders, primarily consuming bird blood, though they will bite humans if their avian host is unavailable.

Behavior Patterns

They are highly mobile and nocturnal; they hide in crevices during the day and feed at night. They can proliferate rapidly when a bird host is present.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include painful, itchy dermatitis and skin irritation in humans. They do not typically survive long on human blood alone, but can be a persistent nuisance. No significant ecological benefits to humans.

Identified on: 1/5/2026