Dramatic footage has shown the moment a common kestrel attacks a drone, taking it down mid-air.

The bird of prey is seen swooping down before snatching the device and flying off with it.

The drone was being operated by Zhang Xue, a journalist filming in the Jiutian Fenglian Scenic Area in Zhangjiajie, in China.

The bird is filmed briefly carrying the drone before dropping it into the forest below.

It’s thought the kestrel had mistook it for prey.

Zhang hadn’t been able to find the lost technology in the forest but it was later returned after being discovered by a group of hikers.