Thayer’s Chikwendu Lauds the Art of Observation

For Manny Chikwendu ’27, birdwatching is more than a hobby. 

And in his recent TA Talk, the junior used his love of birds to explore larger ideas: the need for curiosity, the value of observation, and the importance of understanding the world — and the people around us — more deeply.

Chikwendu’s talk opened with a vivid description of the sights and sounds he wakes to each morning: woodpeckers tapping against the trees, cardinals singing, and various other birds darting through the air in flashes of red, blue, and orange. He invited the audience to imagine hearing and noticing those same details in their own lives. 

“I consider myself to be quite an observant person,” Chikwendu said. “I have a knack for noticing subtle details that others wouldn’t recognize, that help me paint a bigger mental picture.”

That observant mindset, he explained, came largely from his dad. Growing up with a father who constantly noticed small details, Chikwendu said, taught him to become more focused and attentive in his own life even if, at first, he didn’t always appreciate it. 

“I used to think that this trait of my dad’s was an annoying one,” Chikwendu shared. “But later, as I realized it had obliged me to become more aware and intentional with my actions, I found myself appreciating this part of him.”

While Chikwendu said he had always been interested in observing the world around him, his passion for birdwatching truly began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Spending more time outside led him to a moment he still remembers clearly: sitting in his backyard and spotting a small, black-and-white bird clinging to a tree trunk. The bird — a downy woodpecker — immediately fascinated him. 

“The unique black-and-white patterns on its back, the little red dot on its head, and the vicious way it drilled into the tree fascinated me,” Chikwendu said. “After a minute, it flew away into the neighboring yard, but that moment ignited the spark that would soon turn into a burning flame.”

From there, birdwatching became part of his everyday routine. Chikwendu began keeping a bird journal, watching birds after school, and paying closer attention to the patterns and rhythms of nature around him. Over time, the hobby became something more meaningful.

“Birdwatching is one of the only parts of my life where I can be quiet and just watch,” he said. “No talking, no playing, just watching, just listening.” 

Throughout his talk on May 6, Chikwendu connected birdwatching to human relationships and the various ways people interact with one another. He challenged the audience to consider how little they may truly know the people around them, even classmates or friends they see every day. 

“There is so much more to them than what you picture in your head,” Chikwendu said. 

Rather than focusing only on birds themselves, Chikwendu used birdwatching as a lens to encourage deeper observation and reflection. By paying attention to the small details — whether in nature or in other people — it’s possible, he said, to develop a greater understanding of the world. 

“I’m hoping that people learned that it’s important to be very observant of the things and people around us,” Chikwendu said following his talk when asked about possible audience takeaways. “Being more observant can actually deepen your understanding of your surroundings.”

Chikwendu also said he hoped people left with a new perspective on birdwatching itself. 

“Birdwatching is actually pretty cool,” he said. “It's a fun way to relax and enjoy nature.” 

TA Talks take place Wednesday mornings when the Upper School gathers in the CFA’s Hale Theater to hear a student, faculty member, or staff member deliver a 10- to 15-minute talk on a topic of personal significance. The speaker’s words are supported by images from their own collection as well as from student photographers, filmmakers, or artists whose work is sought specifically for the occasion. This year a version of the public-speaking series was introduced in the Middle School.