A man says he has a magpie "nemesis" - after the territorial bird singled him and attacked him every day after work. <br /><br />Alejandro Ríos, 25, says he was the target of the swooping bird for several days. <br /><br />As he cycled home from work the bird swooped down to chase him and peck at his head covered by a helmet.<br /><br />Alejandro moved to Brisbane, Australia in March and the rivalry began on September 20.<br /><br />He was returning from his job as a kitchen hand at a catering company.<br /><br />At first Alejandro didn't realise he had become the target of a divebombing magpie. <br /><br />He said: "I take the same street to get home every day. The first time I felt something knock at my head.<br /><br />"I was a bit worried. I didn't know what had happened. I thought a piece of fruit had fallen off a tree or someone had hit me.<br /><br />"I had no idea what was happening.''<br /><br />After a few attacks from the bird, Alejandro learnt to find the humor in being assailed even though he feared for his eyes.<br /><br />Alejandro said: "I was only really worried the first time. By the end it was funny because I knew it was coming.<br /><br />"I still made sure that I could stop it from getting at my eyes."<br /><br />Magpies are well known for their ability to recognise and remember human faces.<br /><br />A study by Dr Darryl Jones at Griffith University found that the territorial birds even remember and target specific people.<br /><br />Alejandro, who is from Cali in Colombia, said the bird singles him out and did not attack other passers-by or cyclists.<br /><br />He explained: "I've read that magpies recognise faces.<br /><br />"I thought it hated me because I was on a bike but then I saw it let other cyclists pass with no issue."<br /><br />Alejandro considers the bird his nemesis but he is good-natured about the rivalry even though the bird is out for his blood.<br /><br />He said: "It's a bit of a friend and a bit of a nemesis. I love animals so I want to say it's my friend but it really, really hates me."<br /><br />After a week or so of the battle, Alejandro was able to beat the bird by putting zip ties on his helmet.<br /><br />He said: "Now I have zip-ties to protect me so it's leaving me alone. I still see him on the road waiting, though."
