Western Chicken Flea vs Moorhen Flea
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Western Chicken Flea | Moorhen Flea |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ceratophyllus niger | Dasypsyllus gallinulae |
| Order | Siphonaptera | Siphonaptera |
| Family | Ceratophyllidae | Ceratophyllidae |
| Size | 2-3 mm | 1.5-2.5 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Blood Feeders | Blood Feeders |
| Regions | Western North America | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Western Chicken Flea
A poultry flea common in western North America that infests chickens and other domestic birds. Heavy infestations reduce egg production and can kill young chicks.
Did You Know?
Larvae develop in accumulated nest debris and droppings in poultry houses rather than on the bird itself.
Moorhen Flea
A flea commonly found on small passerine birds including tits, wrens, and robins. It breeds in bird nesting boxes and natural cavities.
Did You Know?
This flea is so common in European bird nest boxes that ornithologists routinely find them when checking boxes during the breeding season.