Bird Mite
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus sylviarum or Dermanyssus gallinae
Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata; Family: Macronyssidae or Dermanyssidae
Size: Approximately 0.5 mm to 1 mm (barely visible to the naked eye, appearing as moving specks).
Natural Habitat
Usually found in bird nests (pigeons, starlings, sparrows) or on poultry; they migrate into homes through cracks or vents when the bird hosts leave the nest.
Diet & Feeding
Strictly blood-feeders. They primarily feed on the blood of birds but will bite humans and other mammals if their primary host is unavailable.
Behavior Patterns
They are highly active and can crawl rapidly. They are most active at night or in high humidity. While they can bite humans, they cannot complete their life cycle or reproduce on human blood.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include itchy, red, dermatitis-like skin irritations and secondary infections from scratching. They do not typically transmit diseases to humans. There are no ecological benefits to humans.
Identified on: 1/2/2026