What Do Bird Lice Look Like?

Pet birds, poultry and wild birds are all susceptible to external parasites like mites and lice. The head louse and the body louse are the two most common species of louse. Bird lice are species-specific and will not bite humans.

  1. Head Lice

    • Head lice infest the head and neck of a bird. They tend to lay their eggs on down feathers or near the base of feathers. This type of louse is very small, oblong-shaped and gray in color.

    Body Lice

    • Body lice are found throughout the body of a bird; they will chew through the bird's skin to reach growing quills, which are rich in blood. Body lice are straw-colored and will scatter quickly when feathers are moved.

    Evidence of Lice

    • Egg masses are usually visible at the bases of feather shafts in affected birds. Young birds with heavy infestations of head lice often appear lethargic, and may die before becoming a month old. Birds with body lice will have a lot of scabs.

    Flock Symptoms

    • Large groups of birds, like flocks of chickens, will exhibit general symptoms when infested with lice or other parasites. Chickens may eat less, produce fewer eggs, show decreased weight gain, and become more susceptible to disease.

    Prevention

    • Most instances of lice infestation can be prevented with good sanitation, proper housing, and a suitable diet for birds.

    Treatment

    • According to veterinarians at Ohio State University, individual birds or small flocks can be treated with a dusting of a pesticide called carbaryl. More severe infestations may need to be initially treated with a pyrethrin-based spray directly on the birds.