Do Head Lice Come From Birds?
WouterYou might be wondering how the lice in your head and neck get on. The answer is complicated, but essentially, bird lice are parasites that live on other avian hosts. They feed on feathers and skin, and can also bite humans when they come into contact with infected birds. Bird lice are not harmful to humans, but severe infestations can be deadly to birds and poultry.
Lice on birds may have originated in birds, but they may have been transferred from their chicken hosts. These parasites live in feathers, feet, and head of a bird, and feed on the dead skin and feathers. On the other hand, lice on humans live on the scalp and feed on human blood.
It is unclear when the lice evolved, but their evolutionary history dates back thousands of years. Ancient human remains have been found that contain a cement-like substance used by lice to glue their eggs to human hair. This study suggests that lice were originally hosted by a bird, and then switched to humans and other animals. However, further research is needed to determine the exact date.
If you have more than one bird, you must identify the parasite infestation quickly. The earlier the parasites are identified, the lower the risk of exposure to others in the household. The affected bird must be quarantined separately from the others to reduce the risk of exposure to other birds.
