Bird Mite

Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus sylviarum or Dermanyssus gallinae

Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata; Family: Macronyssidae or Dermanyssidae

Size: 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm (very small, appears as a walking speck)

Bird Mite

Natural Habitat

Nests of wild or domestic birds; often migrate into homes when birds leave a nearby nest.

Diet & Feeding

Parasitic blood-feeders. They primarily feed on bird blood but will bite humans if birds are unavailable.

Behavior Patterns

Active mainly at night; they crawl rapidly and are often found near windows, vents, or bedding if a nest is nearby.

Risks & Benefits

Risks include itchy bites and skin irritation (dermatitis) in humans. They do not live or reproduce on humans but can cause significant discomfort until the avian source is removed.

Identified on: 3/29/2026