Bird Flea
Ceratophyllus gallinae
Appearance
- Adult fleas are generally brownish in colour, and 1/32"-5/16" long.
- The eyes as well as the antennae are apparent. Their mouthparts are well adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood and project downwards from the head.
- This species is the most common bird flea, the hen flea.
Lifecycle
- Bird fleas can only live for a short time indoors and only in nests.
- They breed during the nesting period when the host and/or young are available for regular blood meals.
Habits
- Adult bird fleas live in bird nests. When the birds move from the nest, the adult fleas must find a new host.
- If the nest is reused, the pupae will hatch,mate and continue the breeding cycle.
- Bird fleas can multiply enormously in hen houses, breeders, batteries etc.
