(REUTERS) - US Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump faced an unexpected source of difficulty during a photo shoot with Time magazine recently.

In a video clip released by the publication, the controversial candidate was pecked by a bald eagle multiple times as the pair were being posed together.

"I'm doing this for the cover of Time magazine. I love Time magazine. What you will do for a cover -- this bird is seriously dangerous, but beautiful!" Mr Trump can be heard saying during the one minute clip.

Mr Trump, who leads opinion polls in the US Republican nominating race, has provoked an international uproar by calling for Muslims, including would-be immigrants, students and tourists, to be blocked from entering the United States after last week's deadly shootings in California by two Muslims who authorities said were radicalised.