Bug FAQNorthern Fowl Mite
Ornithonyssus sylviarum · Order: Mesostigmata · Family: Macronyssidae
Also called: Fowl mite, northern mite
The northern fowl mite is a blood-feeding parasite of birds that can lower egg production and feed conversion efficiency in poultry. It is widely distributed, occurring near poultry coops in North America, Brazil, Australia, China and other regions. The mite resembles the red mite Dermanyssus gallinae in size and appearance.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
Its appearance matches that of the red mite Dermanyssus gallinae.
Source: Wikipedia
Size
The mite is similar in size to the red mite Dermanyssus gallinae.
Source: Wikipedia
Is it a pest in the house?
In homes it can hide in equipment and on rodents. Its distribution also covers regions such as North America, Brazil, Australia and China.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It is commonly found close to poultry coops. Its range includes North America, Brazil, Australia and China.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
It feeds on the blood of its avian hosts, causing economic losses in egg production.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
The parasite has been reported on many North American bird species.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
It can be mistaken for the red mite Dermanyssus gallinae because of similar size and looks.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 21 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Michigan, Iowa, California, Texas, Louisiana, Kansas, Ohio, New York.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
What does the northern fowl mite look like?
It looks like the red mite Dermanyssus gallinae, sharing similar size and appearance.
Source: Wikipedia
Where is the northern fowl mite found?
It lives near poultry coops and is widespread in North America, Brazil, Australia and China.
Source: Wikipedia
What does the northern fowl mite feed on?
It feeds on the blood of birds, which can reduce egg production and feed efficiency.
Source: Wikipedia
Can the northern fowl mite be found inside homes?
Yes, it can hide in equipment and on rodents within houses.
Source: Wikipedia
Sources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornithonyssus_sylviarum
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-25 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-25.