Welcome to yet another of the survival guru’s masterclasses

Greetings, disciples of survival! I, Rodney the Changeable Hawk Eagle, have returned for the Masterclass. By now, you should be soaring confidently, camouflaging like pros, and stuffing your beaks with whatever wriggles or squeaks. Today, we go higher… literally! When you perch above the forest canopy under the golden sun, you are no longer just a bird… you are a sentinel of the wild! Fierce, elegant, unyielding. From this lofty throne, you command the forest. Every rustle below… lizards, mammals, other birds… could be prey, and every shadow a threat to be outsmarted. Remember, we Changeable Hawk Eagles are not only skilled fliers but also powerful hunters, capable of swooping down at frightening speeds! With a wingspan that can stretch close to 1.5 metres, we cast a shadow that strikes fear before our talons even touch the ground. Combine that with razor-sharp claws and the element of surprise, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for domination. That, my friends, is survival with style!

Let’s talk about appearances, class. Some of us wear pale streaks, others cloak ourselves in darker, more menacing tones. Variety is our secret weapon. It confuses predators, unsettles prey, and keeps everyone guessing. A true master of disguise is always one step ahead in the survival game. Now, about the gaze. Oh, the gaze! With eyes sharp as lightning, we can spot prey from staggering distances. Once we fix our sight, nothing escapes. If it moves, it belongs to us! And let me remind you of our stage: Wilpattu National Park. Leopards may strut in the limelight, but the skies are ours. Over 200 feathered colleagues share this great arena, yet we alone command the aerial theatre. Dense forests, hidden lakes, wide-open glades… each one a perfect hunting ground for a master predator such as yourselves. So remember, young eagles: it is not enough to survive. You must dominate your landscape. Next time, I’ll teach you how to strike your victory pose after a successful hunt. Until then, soar high, hunt hard, and never stop changing!

On a bright morning in Wilpattu National Park, the Changeable Hawk-Eagle announced its presence with quiet authority. Perched high in the trees, this formidable raptor scanned the forest with piercing eyes. Our naturalist team at Mahoora Tented Safari Camps was fortunate to witness and capture this striking moment, a vivid reminder of the untamed spirit that thrives in Sri Lanka’s wilderness.