External parasites, known scientifically as ‘ectoparasites’, can be broadly divided into lice, mites, and the rest! While lice are insects (with six legs), mites are arthropods (eight legs – like spiders). Other parasites occasionally seen on birds include ticks, fleas and hippoboscid flies (pigeon flies). The most common mite seen on parrots (and occasionally canaries … Continue reading External parasites in birds