The gulls don't give a hoot about fake rooftop owls used to keep
gulls away from homes and businesses in the Ventura Harbor area.

If anything, the ersatz owls have become a curiosity to the gulls,
said Ken Farzad, owner of the harbor's Hornblower's Restaurant.
"Some of the gulls will actually go up to the owls and peck at
them."

"They leave a mess with their feathers and everything
else," Farzad said, expressing disgust over the messy sea birds
roosting atop area buildings.

"We need to give them more time before we decide they don't
work," said Oscar Pena, the Port District's general manager, who
noted the owls, which cost about apiece, only are supposed to scare 30
percent to 40 percent of the gulls that land nearby.

If they don't work, Pena said the district should buy "bigger,
meaner-looking owls."

Gulls are attracted to the tops of buildings because they are safe
places and the rooftops give them a clear view of the area.