BIRD LOUSE

any chewing louse (Mallophaga) living on birds. Probably all bird species have chewing lice. Bird lice feed on feathers, skin surface, and sometimes blood but normally are not harmful; however, if too numerous, their irritation may cause the bird to damage itself by scratching and may even interfere with egg production and the fattening of poultry. Birds with damaged bills are often heavily infested because they cannot preen themselves properly. Two important species of chewing lice are the chicken louse, Menopon pallidum, and the pigeon louse, Lipeurus baculus.