The terrifying encounter was captured by a Canadian man who was filming the bird of prey in flight. 

The cameraman is heard to say "oh shit" when he watches the bird suddenly swoop down into the park and pick up the boy. 

With talons grasping the child's winter jacket, the eagle was able to lift him one metre off the ground before dropping him on his side. 

The child was crying but appeared to be unhurt.

The authenticity of the video is being hotly debated online, with many convinced the footage is fake.