The Republic Leader

February 2003 - Anyone who has worked at a landfill understands the problems associated with seagulls. They are messy, noisy and a general nuisance.

Most states have regulations that require a landfill operator to control and minimize landfill pests, including seagulls. Landfill operators typically accomplish this by limiting the size of the open face of the landfill where the seagulls feed. But sometimes, limiting the landfills active face is not enough as birds will dine right next to the busy compactors and trucks. Additionally, seagulls are fond of the openness of landfills, and often stay in the area even when they are not feeding.

Over the years, landfill operators have used a variety of techniques to reduce the number of seagulls that frequent landfills. Some landfills use handheld devices that launch whistling and popping projectiles designed to frighten the birds. Still other sites have used sound systems to broadcast distress calls in an attempt to scare off the seagulls or placed fake owls around the site.

The Chiquita Canyon Landfill in Valencia, California, had a seagull problem that needed to be addressed. "The seagulls weren't here everyday, but on the days that they did show up, they were here in force," said Mike Dean, general manager of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill. "One day, I estimated that we had about 800 seagulls visiting the site."

Unfortunately, none of the traditional methods of vector control were effective. Mike needed to be creative and turned to Mother Nature for help. "I wanted to try and frighten the seagulls away from the site," said Mike. "I considered using owls but determined that they would have no effect. I finally learned that all birds have a natural fear of falcons, who sit at the top of the food chain in the aviary world."

Falcons can fly at speeds up to 200 miles per hour and are very territorial. They are natural hunters and extremely powerful and maneuverable. A fear of falcons exists in all birds.

Mike was soon in contact with Joe Suffredini, owner of Avian Entertainment. Joe is the proud caretaker of numerous birds, which have been used in many movies, television shows and commercials. Joe has worked with birds since he graduated from college with a degree in Exotic Animal Care and Management. His first job was as an animal trainer for Universal Studios in Hollywood, California where he worked with many animals. He quickly developed a passion and fondness for exotic falcons and the sport of falconry, or hunting with birds of prey.

Joe's passion for working with birds soon resulted in a career change as he turned his attention to the training of birds for a variety of movie roles and commercial appearances. His falcon's most famous role was in a Budweiser commercial that aired during the 2002 Super Bowl.

Joe uses two types of exotic falcons: the Saker Falcon and the Lanner Falcon. He has raised all of his falcons from the time that they hatched. "These birds have an average lifespan of 10 years in the wild and almost 25 years in captivity," said Joe. The falcons are skilled athletes and they need to be cared for and exercised everyday. Typically, the falcons fly at least two hours a day. Additionally, caring for exotic falcons is highly regulated. Joe is fully licensed by the California Fish and Game Department and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

At Chiquita Canyon, the openness of the landfill provides an excellent location at which the birds can safely exercise. And once the falcon takes to the air, all other birds literally head for the hills. "We began the program in April of 2002 and immediately saw a reduction in the number of seagulls at the site," said Mike. "During the first two or three weeks, we flew the falcon's everyday. The seagulls quickly realized that there was a predatory bird in the area and they left," said Mike. "After a few weeks we reduced the flight schedule for the falcons. Today, we are flying falcons at the landfill about two or three times a week."

One of the challenges in keeping the seagulls away is their adaptive nature. "If you fly the falcon on a regular schedule, the seagulls will figure out the routine and disappear upon your arrival," said Joe. "Therefore, we are always changing our schedule and flying the falcons at different times to keep the seagulls away."

The advantages of the falcon program are numerous. "Our falcon program is environmentally friendly," said Mike Dean. "No noise, no pollution, and no poison - just a bird that spends most of its day perched on a stand at the landfill." The falcon is also used at school fields and private lakes where birds can be a nuisance.

"Having the falcons fly at the site has proven to be an excellent method for keeping the seagulls away from the site," said Mike. "We have been very pleased with the falcons' performance and have not had an issue with seagulls since they started exercising here."