Bird Mite
Ornithonyssus spp. (e.g., O. bursa or O. sylviarum)
- Order & Family
- Order: Mesostigmata, Family: Macronyssidae
- Size
- Very small/microscopic, typically less than 1 mm (around 0.7mm to 1mm) long. They are barely visible to the naked eye as moving specks.
Natural Habitat
Primarily found in bird nests (pigeons, starlings, sparrows, poultry) but can migrate into homes, crawling on walls, ceilings, and bedding when the host birds leave.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous (blood-feeders). They feed primarily on the blood of birds but will bite humans and other mammals if their preferred avian hosts are absent.
Behavior Patterns
They are nocturnal and active, often swarming from abandoned nests to find new food sources. They multiply rapidly under favorable humid conditions and have a short life cycle (about 7 days from egg to adult).
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Their bites cause intense itching, irritation, and rashes (pruritic dermatitis) in humans. While generally not known to transmit diseases to humans, the infestation can cause significant psychological distress and discomfort. Benefits: None to humans; they are parasites.