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A Childhood Passion Turned Viral Sensation
When young Samuel Henderson decided to share his birdcall impressions at a school talent show, he had no idea that he would soon be performing for a global audience. The 10-year-old’s performance, captured on TikTok, has since been viewed and admired by millions.
The Performance that Captured the World’s Attention
In a video posted by his mother, Lori Henderson, Samuel is seen confidently instructing the audience to hold their applause until the end of his performance. He then proceeds to imitate a series of bird calls with remarkable accuracy, using plush toy birds as props. The audience’s delight is palpable as he imitates the hoot of a Great Horned Owl, the gobble of a Wild Turkey, and the honk of a Canada Goose, among others.
Overcoming Hesitations and Embracing the Spotlight
Despite initial concerns about how his classmates would react, Samuel’s performance was met with resounding applause. His mother recalls it taking over half an hour to leave the gym due to the number of high fives and compliments Samuel received.
A Young Master of Bird Calls
Samuel, who is autistic, has mastered over 50 bird calls over the past six years and continues to add to his repertoire. He learns the calls through birdwatching, listening to audio clips, and using Audubon’s plush birds that make realistic sounds. He then replicates the sounds by carefully manipulating his stomach and throat to produce the various chirps, whistles, squawks, and other noises that birds make.
@diabetic4one This is Samuel’s bird call performance at his schools talent show. He loved every minute of this #autism #birder #fypage #talent #agt
A Talent Recognized Early On
Samuel’s parents recognized his unique talent early on, noting that before he could speak, he would mimic the world and sounds around him, especially birds. When not outside birdwatching, Samuel immerses himself in field guides, studying and learning about different bird species. He also takes bird call requests on TikTok.
The Journey of a Budding Ornithologist
Samuel’s talent is so extraordinary that he can sometimes fool the Merlin birdsong app into interpreting his human-made trills as an actual bird. His impressive command of bird calls underscores the wide diversity of sounds that birds can generate. Samuel’s dream is to become an ornithologist and further our understanding of bird calls and sounds.
The Unexpected Fame
Since his TikTok video went viral, Samuel has been teaching his classmates bird calls, and he even received an invitation to visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. His parents, still stunned by their son’s sudden fame, are overwhelmed by the positive response from birders and non-birders alike. Samuel’s talent has been acknowledged by voice actors, celebrities, and fans from around their town.
A Bright Future Ahead
While he still has some time before college, Samuel already looks forward to learning more about birds and studying them in depth. His goal? To help advance our understanding of bird calls and sounds. “I want to be an ornithologist when I grow up,” he says. “I want to study birds!”