Bird mite
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus sylviarum / Dermanyssus gallinae
Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata; Family: Macronyssidae / Dermanyssidae
Size: 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm (hardly visible to the naked eye except when moving).
Natural Habitat
Nests of birds (such as pigeons, starlings, or sparrows), poultry houses, and indoor areas near bird nesting sites.
Diet & Feeding
Strictly hematophagous; they feed on the blood of birds but will bite humans and other mammals if their primary bird hosts are unavailable.
Behavior Patterns
They are highly mobile and nocturnal. When a bird host leaves the nest, mites migrate in large numbers into buildings through cracks, vents, or windows in search of a new host.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Their bites cause intense itching, skin irritation, and dermatitis in humans. They do not typically survive long on human blood alone. Benefits: None to the ecosystem; they are considered a pest.
Identified on: 12/31/2025