It's not just birds of a feather that flock together.

A crow has been photographed hitching a very rare mid-flight lift on the back of a bald eagle.

The much larger bird of prey was hunting for a snack in the skies over Seabeck, Washington, when the cheeky crow spied an opportunity.

Hitching a ride: An audacious crow jumps on the back of a bald eagle over Seabeck, Washington

Touchdown: The crow took a precarious few moments to steady itself before settling on the bigger bird

Strike a pose: The mid-air acrobatics didn't seem to bother the eagle, who kept on searching for prey

The encounter lasted just a few seconds before the birds parted and went their separate ways.

The chance meeting was captured by amateur photographer Phoo Chan, 50.

'I was photographing a bald eagle flying around hunting for an early meal when suddenly the crow approached the eagle from behind,' he said.

'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.

Amateur photographer Phoo Chan captured the moment while he was watching the eagle

The 50-year-old was stunned by the crow's antics, which he said only lasted a few moments

Phoo Chan believes the crow flew off because the eagle didn't respond to being harassed

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

'What's more surprising was the eagle didn't seem to mind and kept flying as if nothing happened.

'I think the crow decided to land on the eagle because the eagle did not respond to its harassment so it landed briefly and then left.

'Eventually the crow flew away and the eagle continued to hunt for its breakfast. They both flew in different directions and it looked like they became friends.'

Unsurprisingly, the amazing sequence of photos is attracting envy from other photographers.

Native: Bald eagles can be found in North America, usually near large expanses of open water

When asked how he got the photos, the photographer said he was just in the right place at the right time

Unlikely friends: The eagle looked like he didn't mind the cheeky crow being on his back

Brief encounter: Almost as soon as the crow landed it took off again, and the birds went their separate ways

Phoo says: 'When people see my photos they say "wow" and ask how I was able to capture the images that happen so fast.

'You have to be in the right place at the right time when it happens.'

Bald eagles can be found in North America, usually near large areas of open water.

They are opportunistic feeders who swoop down to grab their prey in their talons.