Killer Magpie

[@xZany69x]

just got attacked, didn't have helmet on. weaved the swoop like a mofo!

[@Grummsh00]

@thisisobvious They are showing that if a magpie is attacking, removing your helmet will drive it off. I don't think they are suggesting that you never wear your helmet.

[@KellyAnnM]

Probably not. My friends that live in Canberra say that most bike helmet wearers have to attach things like pipe cleaners / cable ties to their bicycle helmets. Territorial / Breeding Magpies do not like shiny helmets at all. The helmet decorations do not stop them from swooping, but it does stop them from pecking.

[@Frossticle]

You forgot the one with the automatic turret.

[@CyclingMikey]

@gib395 Why wouldn't you recommend removing the helmet? Turns out the public helmet laws in your country are a net public health loss, not a win.

[@andyynwa94]

Why do they attack people on bikes with helmets?

[@LauraLouise5]

I got swooped real bad the other day by two magpies, one of them came down 4 or 5 times, gee I was petrified, was glad to be out of there. No more bike riding for me for until this season is over I think!

[@AquiloniusMonk]

NIce work Phil! I've been unwillingly replicating your experiment with the same magpie.

[@Teedo145]

I'm a posty and I'm always getting attacked by maggies, Too bad I can't take my helmet off haha Good work guys

[@gib395]

Yes, we've heard it is a nasty piece of work. One of our colleagues reported that removing their helmet stopped it swooping! (not that we would recommend this of course)

[@paulestorey]

I'm sticking with the long cable ties, I still get swooped but they longer smack into my helmet.

[@SubzeroFusion]

i was expecting a 3d video after seeing the two cameras taped to your head : (

[@LeacieLea]

That's really interesting, we've got a Maggie out front that is targeting my son and not the neighbours kid. My boy was wearing a bright blue bike helmet and getting dive bombed non stop, right up to our garage door, yet the other kid with him was wearing a black skate helmet and wasn't targeted once... maybe because his helmet looked like hair?? Might get my boy to borrow it to experiment... thanks for the vid guys.

[@benbuchler]

SO I know this particular magpie well, it's the one at the bottom of CSIRO Black Mountain. In my own experiment this afternoon, it went for me even without a helmet. They learn fast don't they?

[@lellamas2778]

Strange conclusion! Ive been attacked on the ground (walking/running) and i dont wear a helmet... Whats the go with that!!! Awesome Vid tho! Thanks for making this video!

[@timoconnell6133]

I thought the helmet adornments were there to restrict how close the magpie can get to your head.

[@lellamas2778]

@bahutu Hey man... Im into cycling and was thinking of cycling east coast. Was wondering - Did u cycle on the highway? or some dedicated bike path?

[@ocschwar]

Looks to me like they're driven to attack teh shiny. What happens if you put a wig on the helmet?

[@MissJennyIsMe]

I developed a fear of magpies because of them swooping for my head.. and i have black hair.. and my face is white/pale.. they swoop the back of my head but not my face.. :/

[@spiderwebbie96]

When walking during magpie season I carry an umbrella, dosen't help bike riders much though.

[@bedbugsdobite]

no no you have to wear a cap with the sunshade at the back of the neck (like what primary kids wear) that has 2 eyes stuck on.

[@Nerdfeliz]

Only people who don't ride bikes and are not attacked by magpies protect their "rights". Those birds are evil.

[@jonty811]

Could it be the colour of the helmet and adornments that attract the maggie? I know here in Ipswich they steal my coloured pegs!

[@serkanism]

Right about the time it comes by you need jetli reflexes to give it a killer blow to the head and lay it flat on the floor, turn around and run it over a few times with your bike.

[@oncebittern]

Now that's science! Good job Phil!

[@rainbowredrobin]

Magpie defending his territory happens every breeding season male magpie has to defend or his partner sees him as weak

[@GW7AAV]

Try fitting razor blades to the helmet. It would only dive bomb you the once.

[@allykatblue]

Yo Brittish folk this is a completely different bird to the Brittish Magpie which is in the crow family. Australian magpies are not in the crow family, they look alike so when the Brittish arrived in Australia they were called Magpies. it doesn't care about shiny things. These birds are males defending their nest.

[@TravvyG]

I luv Magpies. My friend saw this guy ridng his bike past McDonalds and the guys Helmet didn't have the Plastic on foam and the Magpie got it's beck stuck in the Helmet my friend hasn't ever seen something that funny in her life ^_^

[@KrunchyJD]

@BovisRichards UK magpies are a different bird.

[@iansa53]

they do like the shiny dont they?

[@Czixx]

Those sure are some angry birds.

[@666davidfrench]

You have the same bike as me I think... Kona Smoke 29?

[@chamallowbleu]

@duplacite it's obvious when you think about it!

[@lellamas2778]

@bahutu Thanks for the awesome advice bro! Greyhound pass sounds like a great idea to passby those boring bits :P

[@parryhr]

This is so funny, if I wasnt one of the magpie targets! I cycle this route everyday into CSIRO... its taking my life in my hands i tell you! i found if i just (illegally) wore a wooly hat they left me alone, so now I cover my helmet with my hat, look like a rasta but it works!

[@miyor123]

Don't try this at home? I can't ride my bike at home..

[@dyaakov]

you guys see, wearing a helmet is a menace

[@SIM2402]

Magpies are fine most of the year except in Spring. They just don't like any one going near their babies...

[@fruitcheese333]

I get swooped on foot with no head adornments :(

[@vincey27]

maggie attacked me and nearly ripped my ear off,went to a/e looking like a car crash victim!!!.

[@1DPIKI]

I was swooped and hit by one today! :'(

[@MsMerising]

I am currently being stalked by a magpie outside my apartment complex. He just cut the side of my face. I am wearing black, is he cock-blocking me because he thinks I'm bigger & blacker or what?

[@MarkMck1994]

Respect to the Bird.... just trying to protect its young..... and steal peoples hair to build its nest!!!

[@KellyAnnM]

Ahhh sorry, just saw your PART 2 of this. You do try a wig!

[@thisisobvious]

Don't wear a helmet because the risk of crashing is clearly a lesser risk than being swooped on by a magpie. Am I understanding this correctly?

[@jien1983]

Hey, that's ANU !

[@lehman]

I think its time to glue some wigs onto your helmet.

[@WrinklyTraveller]

Great work boys and very amusing. Don't worry about Steve Virtual he's just pissed that he didn't come up with the idea of making a funny vid. (TIC)

[@alphidee78]

It's nearly that time again...

[@wilfredktlr]

@gib395 In my country (The Netherlands) we've always ridden without a helmet (except for guys on race bikes and ATB's, but that's a different story). I believe helmets should NOT be manditory. Take a look at MikeRubbo his movies about this (KZbin user).

[@furmanb]

Try Flinders Uni... S.A.

[@MrWeedWacky]

that bird hates eggheads, pure and simple :P

[@Madipaka]

Everyone in my street that jogs carries a stick with them LOL!

[@KellyAnnM]

Cover a helmet with fur or a cheap wig, so that it looks like hair. I bet that would work. Please try that next in your experiment :-) Haha, I just saw this already exists (but for fashion, not for magpies) "Mink Motorcycle Helmet by Karl Lagerfeld"

[@o0Theresa0o]

You should be grateful. The magpie was just trying to tell you that you look like an idiot. Hahahaha! But seriously, is there any study that explains what's going on here? Do they see the colourful helmet and assume it's a predator or another bird or something?

[@edavisdavis]

treatment 4 Cap gun,the one I aim to use

[@1815chris5curious]

Magpies are awesome! If they swoop you it usually means they've had a bad experience with humans before. All the magpies around my suburb are my friends. Had the same one coming to my backyard for 20 years!

[@mumandtwins]

Brilliant

[@0h3h30]

MAGPIES SHOULD BE RESPECTED FOR THIER VILE FORMS OF PLAY.

[@Binga_rs]

@cadunerdfeliz they r the coolest birds ever i reckon

[@iansa53]

must use a black non-shiny helmut. magpies love shiny things!!!

[@dyaakov]

the solution: MAGPIE SEASON!!!!

[@gib395]

But I guess he could've become a blood nut!! :)

[@verticalsmurf]

Serously, what chance is there of a life altering or threatening injury from a magpie when compared the chances of being harmed by a fellow human, cat, dog, bug... At least with Magpies we know when and where to avoid their area, or just use common sense.

[@Chrisco264]

That is pretty cool. Thanks guys. :)

[@JUSTINcredbleJB]

Haha i went for a run today and got swooped by magpies :( not fun

[@lellamas2778]

@sharkinfested haha.. Kangaroos arent as innocent and cute as u think either!

[@beemer567]

just carry a tennis racket in a side holster. smack the little bugger

[@Devilito999]

Oh Cool...funny mapie

[@Binga_rs]

clearly windows movie maker editing

[@Benchcreature]

How is he a blood nut? Like seriously, how? haha

[@kaykayhorselover]

omg poor person it will be protecting it nest

[@KrunchyJD]

I wear sunnies in breeding season

[@rainbowredrobin]

@PrivateJoker17 scared of a wee little bird ha ha

[@karlosxzy]

bird strike.. the worst kind.

[@whipthedog]

25000 views. Love it

[@nitramluap]

My experience is that they don't attack me - I don't wear a bicycle helmet - yet they attack all the other riders, with helmets... Another reason why we shouldn't be forced by law to wear bicycle helmets (helmetfreedom(dot)org)

[@aussiebushman9090]

hahahahhaha thats awesome i love swooping magpies sucked in bike riders ...get off the roads

[@Shunteration]

Of course it does not work! A shiny helmet is attracting magpies! Your hair, however, that reminds them of a bigger animal's fur, is a great distraction...