About

Made by the guy who got swooped

MACPIE began on a bike ride in Townsville, North Queensland. A magpie decided my helmet was a threat, and I filmed myself ducking left, ducking right and swinging uppercuts at the sky. The clip passed four million views on Instagram at @frogs_free. So many people asked "how did you dodge that?" that I turned it into a game you can try yourself.

The rider in the game is me: white bike helmet, clear goggles, headphones and a black T-shirt. The magpie call you hear on every dive is the real one, recorded in the video.

Why magpies swoop

Australian magpies are protective parents. During breeding season, which usually runs from late winter through spring, some birds defend the area around their nest by swooping at people who come close. Cyclists and walkers who pass the same spot every day are common targets. Most magpies never swoop at all, and the swooping stops once the chicks leave the nest.

If it happens to you for real

• Get off your bike and walk through the area. Swooping magpies often target moving riders.
• Wear a helmet and sunglasses, and keep an eye on the bird. Magpies are less likely to swoop when they are being watched.
• Take a different route during the season if you can. Councils often put up yellow warning signs where birds are swooping.
• Don't harass the bird, throw things at it or go near the nest. Native birds are protected, and provoking them makes swooping worse.

In the game you can uppercut a magpie. In real life, please don't. Duck, walk on and let it raise its chicks.

Contact

MACPIE is a one-person project. For feedback, bugs or collaborations, send a message on Instagram to @frogs_free.