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 (barely visible to the naked eye, appearing like moving dust or specks).
Natural Habitat
Found in bird nests (pigeons, starlings, sparrows) and poultry houses; they migrate indoors when bird hosts leave the nest.
Diet & Feeding
Blood of birds (primary) and occasionally humans or other mammals if birds are unavailable.
Behavior Patterns
They are semi-permanent parasites that feed at night and hide in cracks or nesting material during the day. They have a rapid life cycle of about 7-12 days.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Can cause intense itching, skin irritation, and dermatitis in humans. They do not live or reproduce on humans but can bite. Benefits: None to humans or the ecosystem.
Identified on: 3/12/2026