An owl has been spotted flying around a neighbourhood while appearing to ride a child's toy horse.
With an owl and what looked like a broom stick involved, some people were quick to draw comparisons to Harry Potter.
A video of the strange occurrence was posted on Facebook by an eagle-eyed resident, with the post quickly being shared widely.
The footage shows the owl flying the area holding the toy, a horses head with a stick attached in Eureka, Illinois, in the US.
In one picture posted alongside, you can see the owl sitting on a tree branch with the toy firmly in its grasp.
Eric Lind, who posted the video, said: "Current situation at my parents' house, the young neighbourhood owl has stolen this stick horse and is flying around the neighbourhood with it.
"Hilldale/Forest Park/Ridge Lane neighbours, if your child is missing their stick horse, you'll have to talk to the owl."
People commenting underneath were concerned the owl might have been tangled in some part of the toy but Eric was quick to reassure them.
One commenter had said: "If his claw is caught, he won't survive, he can't catch prey.
"Hope someone called birds if prey rescue to make sure owl is okay, flying around he is trying to get it release from his claw and he is probably stressed."
He said the owl is a part of the family that have lived in the area for around six months.
He continued: "Edit: for those of you questioning if the owl is hurt or "entangled" in the stick horse, we have no reason to believe this is the case as we witnessed the owl moving the horse around and even changing its grip on it at one point.
"This owl is part of a family of owls that have been in the neighbourhood for about six months now, and this is one of the young owls.
"If someone sees that the owl is in danger or believes it is hurt, I'm sure the proper authorities would be contacted."
One commenter identified the bird as a young great horned owl.
Most people were thrilled with the picture and video. One quipped: "This is a real hoot!"
Another said: "That horse does not look happy."
With the owl appearing to 'ride' the toy people started joking about Harry Potter which includes owls and broomsticks a plenty.
One said: "He's just taking Harry's son his new nimbus".
Another not willing to mince words said: "Harry Potter owl".
Some people expressed concern at just how easily the owl picked up the toy, worried about the welfare of neighbourhood pets with these predators circling above.
One wrote: "Not so funny when owls kill your small dog/ cat by puncturing the preys lungs, then drop it from way off the ground because it was too big to pick up. So much for a fenced yard to try and keep coyotes out."
