1997 1998 Walter Koenig Melanerpes formicivorus Central Canyon HNHR 27 March 1515. New hole! 4 eggs, incubated. I measured two: (1) 26.1 x 19.1; (2) 26.7 x 19.0. 2 April 1315. 4 babies, 1 (maybe 2) days old. 10 April 1315. Still 4 (healthy) babies. Weighed one: 36.3 gm (at 9 days old). 11 April 1905. Got the rooster tonight: #2209 for sure. 1910. I take it back. As I leave, 2 birds apparently fly out of the hole! I set back up, but none returns by 1930. Apparently the kids are on their own. Are they old enough to make it? I'll check tomorrow and see! 12 April Joey checked the nest this morning. It was indeed apparently unintended all night, and the babies did not make it. Bummer. I guess I'd best not try to get roosters until later on in the nesting cycle, although I really don't understand how I could have scared them off - especially since I think one of them ended up roosting above my head somewhere. We did at least get blood. It certainly demonstrates what I'd always suspected: They have to coordinate roosting in the nest perfectly - one mess up and they're done for until the kids can thermoregulate on their own. 1998 11 May 1040. Checked nest: 2 hatchlings, 2 developed eggs. Band ~1 June. There are still stores here. Measured 1 egg: 24.0 x 19.5.