Crow takes a ride on eagle's back (photo)

Never mind the eagle has landed, the crow has landed - on the eagle.

The cheeky (and rather brave) bird was pictured flying towards the bald eagle and then gliding above it before deciding to take some time out and hitch a ride on its back.

The eagle was hunting for prey in the skies above Seabeack in Washington, and the scene was captured by amateur photographer Phoo Chan, 50.

According to the Daily Mail, he said: "I was photographing a bald eagle flying around hunting for an early meal when suddenly the crow approached the eagle from behind.

"At first I thought the crow was going to chase away the eagle.

"I have seen crows harassing a hawk by swooping back and forth in order to drive it away from their territory. I was completely awed to see the crow actually land on the back of the flying eagle."

He added: "It was as if it was taking a short break and at the same time a free ride.

"Eventually the crow flew away and the eagle continued to hunt for its breakfast."

It seems it's the year of animals piggybacking other unlikely creatures. Earlier this year, we had the weasel on a woodpecker, who was shortly followed by the raccoon with nerves of steel who hitched a ride on the back of an alligator.