Footage has emerged of US presidential candidate Donald Trump dodging an attack from a bald eagle.

Mr Trump was posing with the eagle, named Uncle Sam, as part of a photoshoot for a Time magazine cover story in August, when the eagle became agitated.

The footage initially shows the eagle flapping its wings as its handler passes it to Mr Trump, messing up his infamous hair.

"How's my hair look?" Mr Trump asks.

Someone replies: "No good."

The bird settles down for a few shots by the window, however, when it comes to posing at a desk, Uncle Sam becomes unsettled when Mr Trump reaches in his direction to move a packet of aspirin.

Uncle Sam takes a lunge at the presidential candidate, prompting a shaken Mr Trump to duck away.

Mr Trump missed out on Time Magazine's "Person of the Year" title to German chancellor Angela Merkel.