Hawk with big round dots on wings???

[CathyA]

Wasn't sure where to post this. This evening I saw a hawk on a fence, and when it flew away, it had what appeared to be a big blue dot painted on each wing. Anyone have any idea what this would mean?
Thanks.

[Tussiemussies]

Maybe some scientific research is somehow tracking it that way?

[CathyA]

That's what I'm thinking too Tussiemussies. I can't find anything about it on the Internet though. Was sure weird to see. The dots were each about 2" in diameter.

[Tussiemussies]

Maybe it was rescued and rehabilitated and they are tracking it somehow. Usually they use devices for tracking, but who knows maybe they have come up with a paint that works?

[thinkgreen]

Could it be a nighthawk?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qpsyjmda5Q

[CathyA]

No, not a nighthawk. The blue dots were on the topsides of the wings.
I've sent an email to our local ag agent, so maybe he'll know something. If he doesn't, I'll contact the DNR. Very interesting! Maybe I will see it again. I hope so!

[CathyA]

Been searching more online. Here's something like what the dots looked like.

http://www.raptorview.org/goldeneaglewingtagproject.html

Then I found this about a research project. I've emailed one of the people running the study and seeing if this might be one of his hawks.

http://www.ilbirds.com/index.php?topic=42684.msg55403#msg55403

[Tussiemussies]

The picture looks like what you saw! The research project didn't mention blue circles but you never know! That is interesting that you got to see one!