Bird Lice
Scientific Name: Phthiraptera (Suborder Ischnocera/Amblycera)
Order & Family: Order: Phthiraptera; Families vary (e.g., Philopteridae, Menoponidae)
Size: 0.5 mm to 5 mm in length
Natural Habitat
Found exclusively on the skin or between the feathers of host bird species, often near nests or roosting sites.
Diet & Feeding
Depending on the species, they feed on feather fragments, skin debris, or blood from the host bird.
Behavior Patterns
They are obligate ectoparasites that spend their entire life cycle on the host. They spread via direct contact between birds or through shared nesting materials.
Risks & Benefits
They can cause irritation, feather damage, and anemia in birds. While they generally do not infest humans permanently, they can cause temporary biting and skin irritation if a person comes into contact with a vacant bird nest or infested poultry.
Identified on: 2/8/2026