Bird mite
Scientific Name: Dermanyssus gallinae or Ornithonyssus spp. (specific identification difficult without microscopy)
Order & Family: Mesostigmata (Order), Dermanyssidae or Macronyssidae (Family)
Size: 0.5 to 1 mm
Natural Habitat
Bird nests, poultry houses, sometimes invades homes after birds leave nests (attics, eaves, window sills).
Diet & Feeding
Blood of birds. They are ectoparasites, feeding on birds while they are roosting or sleeping.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal feeders on birds. When their hosts leave or die, they seek out new hosts and may enter homes, biting humans in search of a blood meal, though they cannot survive on human blood alone.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Can cause irritating bites on humans, leading to itching, skin irritation, and sometimes dermatitis. They do not typically transmit diseases to humans but can be a nuisance. Benefits: None apparent for humans, but they are a natural part of the bird ecosystem.
Identified on: 10/19/2025