Traits: Small, wingless insect with sucking or chewing mouthparts; invertebrate animal

Habitat: Skin, fur, or feathers of birds and mammals

Foods: Varies by species; some suck blood of mammals or birds; others eat skin, feathers, or fur.

Eaten by: Sometimes eaten by birds or mammals during grooming

Do You Know? All lice are parasites of birds or mammals. Some blood-sucking lice carry microscopic organisms that cause diseases in mammals and birds.