A red-tailed hawk was rescued by two fishermen, Matt Wells and Dana Scroggins, after it was spotted struggling in the water at Tomales Bay, California.

The bird of prey hopped onto Wells' kayak to stop itself from drowning causing an intense staredown between hawk and man.

Once they got the hawk ashore the two men tried to tempt the bird into a box so the local animal rescue services could check to see if it was hurt.

The two fishermen were on a crabbing trip when they came across the drowning hawk. They later told Newsflare that "the bird is almost fully recovered and should be released soon."