This is the astonishing moment a devil bird dive-bombed a boy walking along a path in China.

CCTV footage shows the child strolling in the middle of the road when the black-feathered creature suddenly attacked him in Guangdong on March 7.

He can be seen ducking and placing his hands on his head to shield himself from the bird.

Upon seeing his friend on a bicycle, he ran alongside him while the bird flew away.

The boy reportedly did not sustain any injuries from the encounter.

The bird's behaviour is a defensive tactic used to scare intruders away from its nest, especially when protecting eggs or young chicks.

They perceive humans as potential threats to their offspring. However, most dive-bombing birds do not make physical contact, and their attacks serve as warnings to keep a safe distance.