A playful lioness was spotted chasing after birds near a watering hole in Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Footage captured on December 8 shows the wild cat bound towards the birds that were resting by the water's edge.

The filmer told Newsflare: "Lions are normally not the most active mammals in the African bush and most people view lions while they are sleeping.

"One specific young lioness caught my attention. While the other lions were still getting up and stretching after their long nap, this lioness had other plans already.

"At the edge of the watering hole was a bird sitting called a hamerkop. The young lioness was totally fixated on this bird while approaching it, only to realize that the bird can easily escape by just flying to the other side of the watering hole.

"It was really entertaining to watch such a powerful predator being amused by a small brown bird next to the water. In the end, we believe the young lioness was just having a playful time chasing the bird around, waiting for the rest of the pride to get going."

It was late afternoon during a safari n the Kruger National Park when we were lucky to find a pride of lions resting next to a watering hole. Lions are normally not the most active mammals in the African bush and most people view lions while they are sleeping. Lucky for us, it was just before sunset and the lions became active, making for a more entertaining sighting. One specific young lioness caught my attention. While the other lions were still getting up and stretching after their long nap, this lioness had other plans already. At the edge of the watering hole was a bird sitting called a hamerkop. The young lioness was totally fixated on this bird while approaching it, only to realize that the bird can easily escape by just flying to the other side of the watering hole. After that attempt, I thought the lioness would give it up. Before I knew it, she was at it again. I could see the young lioness made her way around the watering hole straight towards the bird again. A short distance away from the bird the young lioness went to crouch down, looking ready to attack. I couldn’t believe that the lioness was going to attempt to catch the bird but her body language suggested that she was ready to strike. With her tail flicking faster and faster, the lioness suddenly burst out of the blocks, charging towards the hamerkop bird, only for the bird to fly off a little further once again. It was really entertaining to watch such a powerful predator being amused by a small brown bird next to the water. In the end we believe the young lioness was just having a playful time chasing the bird around, waiting for the rest of the pride to get going.