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A photo has emerged online of 80 birds of prey sitting in a plane after they were bought tickets by a Saudi prince.

The bizarre image shows the hooded animals dotted around the cabin among passengers, each bird seemingly tied securely down to the seats.

Members of the cabin crew are shown looking on, impassively.

Reddit user lensoo posted it online, writing: “My captain friend sent me this photo. Saudi prince bought ticket for his 80 hawks.”

The feathered guests, which appear to be falcons rather than hawks, are thought to have been booked on to a Qatar Airways flight.

Qatar Airways allows up to six falcons in Economy Class, while Etihad also permits the transportation of birds.

Falcons are the United Arab Emirates national bird and training them to hunt is a popular hobby in the country.