Remember the wacky waving inflatable arm tube men swinging to get your attention outside furniture stores? Turns out they have an actual use.

According to the Wall Street Journal, vineyard owners have turned to these tubes to keep grape-hungry birds at bay. Renamed "Air Rangers" to fit the seriousness of their new task, they now defend winemakers' grapes from the European starling.

The bird has menaced growers since the late 19th century. The birds also have an expensive taste, choosing grapes meant for expensive wines over those destined for grape juice.

[The Wall Street Journal]