A to Z of Pests

Bird Flea

Ceratophyllus gallinae

Appearance

• Adult fleas are generally brownish in colour, and 1–8mm 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.