Bird Mite

Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus sylviarum / Dermanyssus gallinae

Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata; Family: Macronyssidae / Dermanyssidae

Size: Approximately 0.5 mm to 1 mm; almost microscopic but visible as moving specks.

Bird Mite

Natural Habitat

Nests of wild or domestic birds (pigeons, starlings, chickens); often found indoors on window sills, ceilings, and bedding if a nest is nearby.

Diet & Feeding

Blood of avian hosts. While they may bite humans if their bird hosts leave or the nest is removed, they cannot survive long or reproduce on human blood.

Behavior Patterns

Extremely active crawlers that leave nests when young birds fledge or the host dies. They are attracted to heat and carbon dioxide, which can lead them to humans.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Can cause intense itching, skin irritation, and dermatitis in humans. Benefits: None to humans; they are parasitic pests of poultry and wild birds.

Identified on: 12/28/2025