This cyclist in Albury, Australia, built a bizarre device to prevent swooping magpies from attacking him.

Alistar at Electrosync records the process as he begins to build the bird-like device that is meant to ward off any swooping magpies.

He told Newsflare: "Swooping Aussie magpies are a real nuisance and sometimes a danger.

"The Madpie 3000 V2 is the culmination of two years of Australian magpie research conducted at the Electrosync Studios. Part bird, part-robot – a 'hybird' if you will. It utilises Flytron CREE LEDs for eyes to warn the real magpies of its dominance.

"The Madpie 3000 V2 weighs in at nearly 2 kilograms loaded up which is pretty hefty to stick on top of a helmet.

"This makes head checks difficult, but let’s face it, most other vehicles around you will be keeping a wide berth of you when you have a flappy bird riding up top!"

Footage from August 29 shows Alistar trying the device out against the aggressive birds.

Swooping Aussie magpies are a real nuisance and sometimes a danger. In 2020, Alister from Electrosync tested out some 3D printed Swoopy Boi deterrents as an attempt to slow them in their tracks – with mixed results.

Taking on board the feedback across the Electrosync social media, Alister decided to revise his designs and try and prevent magpie attacks once and for all.

The Madpie 3000 V2 The Madpie 3000 V2 is the culmination of two years of Australian Magpie research conducted at the Electrosync Studios. Part bird, part robot – a cybird if you will. It utilises Flytron CREE LEDs for eyes to warn the real Magpies of its dominance.

Hinged wings spanning 700 mm are moved up an down via twin double helical gears spun by a 12 v brushed motor and gearbox salvaged from a Roomba vacuum.

A 3 cell LiPo battery provides power to the motor and a step down converter provides 5 v to the LEDs. The Madpie 3000 V2 weighs in at nearly 2 kg loaded up which is pretty hefty to stick on top of a helmet.

This makes head checks difficult, but let’s face it, most other vehicles around you will be keeping a wide berth of you when you have a flappy bird riding up top!