1979 Walter D. Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Plague (21 September) Based on these figures, their age is about 25 days (23-27 days, at any rate). Working backwards, this means they hatched on 28 August ±2 days and that incubation began about 16 August ±2 days. Impressive, to say the least. (we knew the crop would be good by then and I guess) One of the babies was adventurous enough to fly out of the hole and flop directly down to the ground when I went up - thus confirming their rather advanced state. Both were similarly developed - #522's crown was slightly further along but #521 had a slightly longer wing. I banded and bled them both and then returned them to the nest. 28 September 1600. On my way up to the nest here both babies flopped out and "fledged" before I could arrive - j522 went 1st, followed shortly by j521. Both made it to the lower sections of nearby trees (they flew fairly well), where after some chasing I managed to catch them both. This allowed me to change a band on j521 and also to measure them both: j521 78.9 121 j522 81.6 118 (Crown still further along than j521) These are essentially measurements "at fledging". Following this I returned both to the hole and blocked them in until I could remove my interference. 5 October 1450. Watching. All the cavities in the telephone pole are stuffed full of fresh acorns. Not only that, but apparently within the last several days they've stored several hundred acorns in their granary.