Bird Flea

Ceratophyllus gallinae

Appearance

Image of Bird Fleas (Ceratophyllus gallinae) from | Rentokil Pest Control Canada
  • Adult fleas are generally 1-8mm in length and brownish in colour.
  • This species is the most common bird flea, the hen flea.
  • Bird flea mouthparts are well adapted for piercing skin and sucking blood and project downwards from the head. The eyes as well as the antennae are visible.

Lifecycle

  • Bird fleas breed during the nesting period when the host and/or young are accessible for regular blood meals.
  • Bird fleas can only live for a short time indoors and only in nests.

Habits

  • Bird fleas multiply quickly and in large numbers in hen houses, breeders, batteries etc.
  • If the nest is reused, the pupae will hatch,mate and resume the breeding cycle.
  • Adult bird fleas live in bird nests. When the birds vacate the nest, the adult fleas must find a new host.