This is the heartbreaking moment a bird lover drowned while desperately trying to save his pet cockatoo that had fell into a lake in Thailand.

Brorisuth Rodsansern, 24, let his white parrot named Kome fly across the water in Chiang Mai on Saturday evening.

However, the pet appeared top get into difficulties and nosedived from around 100ft before hitting the surface with a splash.

Brorisuth leapt into the water and swam toward his avian friend but soon found himself faltering from exhaustion.

Onlookers screamed as they saw Brorisuth struggling to stay afloat. He raised an arm as he flailed before sinking into the depths, leaving behind ripples on the lake's glassy surface.

Rescue boats and a team of 20 divers were deployed to the scene at 5:40 pm. They scoured the reservoir for an hour before finding Brorisuth's lifeless body at 6:56 pm.

Authorities said he had been attending a gathering of local pet bird owners when the incident occurred.

Shocked onlooker Danai Atap said: 'When I was taking photos, I heard someone shouting to say that a bird was drowning. Then the owner jumped in to help it.

‘He ran to a pink bridge before jumped into the lake to help his bird, but he seemed too tired after running. He could not stay afloat.'

Brorisuth's body was taken to a hospital to undergo a post-mortem examination.