Bird Mite
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus sylviarum or Dermanyssus gallinae
Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata; Family: Macronyssidae or Dermanyssidae
Size: 0.5 mm to 1 mm (extremely small, appearing as a moving speck of dust)
Natural Habitat
Nests of wild or domestic birds (pigeons, starlings, chickens); often enter homes through vents or windows when birds leave the nest.
Diet & Feeding
Strictly bird blood; however, they may bite humans if their primary bird host is unavailable.
Behavior Patterns
Nymphs and adults are highly mobile and nocturnal. They are attracted to heat and carbon dioxide. They cannot complete their life cycle on human blood alone.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include red, itchy skin rashes and intense irritation (pruritus) in humans. They do not transmit diseases to humans but can cause significant stress. Beneficial for the natural control of bird populations in the wild.
Identified on: 4/17/2026