Feeding habitat is similar to crows and like crows, ravens are also omnivorous, however, road-killed carrion such as deer, raccoons and opossums are a major food source. Nesting habitat consists of cliffs and tall trees. Other nesting behaviors are similar to those of American and fish crows, however, the nestling period and age of sexually maturity is longer. The nestling period for ravens is approximately 40 days with sexual maturity being reached after 3 or more years. Crows and West Nile Virus Crows can not transmit the West Nile Virus to humans.
Transmission comes from the bite of infected mosquitoes.
After being infected crows can then infect other mosquitoes that bite them which could subsequently bite and infect humans. However, WNV is a newly emerging disease in the northeast and it is not recommended that any untrained persons handle potentially infected birds. In the event that a crow must be handled it is recommended that gloves be worn. If a dead or infected crow is found in a particular area it does not necessarily indicate there are infected mosquitoes in that area. Crows have the ability to travel long distances from areas that may actually contain the infected mosquitoes.