Ischnocera

Ischnocera is a large parvorder of lice from the infraorder Phthiraptera. The parvorder consists of chewing lice, which feed on the feathers and skin debris of birds. Many species of Ischnocera have evolved an elongated body shape, which allows them to conceal themselves within plumage to avoid being dislodged during preening or flight. Species in Ischnocera spend their entire lives living on a host and attach themselves to hippoboscid flies to help move across individual birds. Ischnocera contain the large family Philopteridae, along with a few other minor families. Ischnocera are distributed