There are owls in my backyard?

Question

So...I live in Springfield, VA and heard an owl last night (or so I believe it to be). The noise I hear is a whoot whoot whooty whoo...and then there is another one that returns the same call. Are these owls? If so, are they after my puppy? The puppy is quite small, 3 lbs, half Chihuahua half Dachsund. I'm scared that when the little dude has to defecate at 2:30am the owls will swoop down and my little baby will be forever gone. Is there anyway to rid of them?

Answer 1

just leave them alone  and put your puppy indoors 2    ................................owls are becoming endanger

Answer 2

omg i dont know how to get rid of them but i live in texas and i have the same problem. it will come up to my window at night (only mine lol) and flap its wings on window and hoot really loud.. its so annoying!

Answer 3

When the owl isn't seen, but only heard, it's sometimes confused with the sound of a Mourning Dove.  Here's some audio files that may help you to identify whether the bird is an owl and if so, which one...

Mourning Dove call (audio):  

http://www.cornell.edu/tours/tidbit_temp...

Here's a site with audio of several owl calls:

http://www.owlshill.org/audio/index.html

If it really is an owl, keep your dog indoors and if you need to take him outside, keep him on a  lease...even in your backyard.  They WILL swoop in next to you to take a dog or cat...even on a leash, but at least the leash will help you to retrieve the dog if he is attacked.  Being near the dog won't stop an owl, eagle or hawk.