Welcome back, disciples of survival! Rodney here, your favourite Changeable Hawk Eagle and undisputed master of wilderness wisdom. I promised you a lesson in the art of the victory pose, and I always keep my promises. Now, pay attention!

First, find a suitable location. Somewhere dramatic! A forest clearing or tree top is best... but even a muddy patch beside a puddle can also work beautifully… it’s all about how you work it! Next, stand tall, spread those magnificent wings and look intensely into the middle distance. Very important: look as though you have just conquered the entire forest! Do not smile. We eagles do not smile. We are not Golden Retrievers. Now hold the pose. Let the feathers catch the light. Give the audience a good look at those wings. If someone happens to photograph you at this exact moment, even better. Remember, survival is not just about catching prey and avoiding predators.

Sometimes, you have to remind everyone exactly who is in charge! And if anyone asks whether you have actually just caught anything, simply stare at them mysteriously. Never reveal everything. That, my friends, is the final lesson in survival with style!

Now, before you all rush off to practise your victory poses, here are a few final survival secrets. We Changeable Hawk Eagles are forest specialists, and those relatively short, broad wings are wonderfully suited to manoeuvring through trees. You don’t need enormous wings when your hunting ground is a forest full of branches, trunks and surprises! And look at my legs. Notice those feathers? They extend down the legs and help give us that rather magnificent, fully equipped predator look. But beneath all those feathers are some seriously powerful feet and sharp talons, perfectly designed for grabbing prey. And remember, there is a reason we tend to keep to ourselves. Less competition means more prey for you! No need to share your favourite hunting grounds with a crowd of feathered freeloaders. Until, of course, breeding season arrives. Then that solitary lifestyle takes a temporary holiday. When the time comes, find a partner and get serious about the next generation! So there you have it. Fly smart, hunt wisely, keep your feathers in order and, above all, know when to strike a pose. Survival is important, but looking magnificent while doing it is equally essential.

Class dismissed. And remember… never stop changing!

With its wings spread wide and feathers catching the light, this Changeable Hawk Eagle looked every bit the part of Rodney, the self-appointed survival guru. The striking moment was captured by a Mahoora Naturalist during a morning safari with guests from the Mahoora Tented Safari Camp in Yala.