Bird Mite
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus sylviarum
Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata, Family: Macronyssidae
Size: 0.5 mm to 1 mm (extremely small, barely visible to the naked eye)
Natural Habitat
Commonly found in bird nests, poultry houses, and occasionally in residential homes near nesting sites.
Diet & Feeding
Blood from host birds (such as pigeons, sparrows, and poultry); they may bite humans but cannot survive on human blood.
Behavior Patterns
They are highly mobile and nocturnal, often migrating into homes when their bird hosts leave the nest. They reproduce rapidly in warm, humid conditions.
Risks & Benefits
Can cause intensely itchy bites, skin irritation, and dermatitis in humans. They are considered pests and do not provide ecosystem benefits in a domestic setting.
Identified on: 1/9/2026