A big, gawky bird with a bright “Byrd is the Word” poster affixed to its belly has spent much of the last week running in circles outside the Science Center.

The students who have worn the costume have served as the spirited mascot of the Byrd-Mani campaign.

While Aaron S. Byrd ’05 and Divya A. Mani ’05 recognize they have less experience as Undergraduate Council representatives than other candidates running for president and vice president of Harvard’s student government, Byrd says “it all comes down to face time.”

He spent hours standing outside the Science Center last week, chatting with students as they hurried by on their way to class. People responded to his charisma, laughing as he cracked jokes or as his mascot made circles on a bicycle.

“Everyone thinks we’re a joke. We’re not a joke,” Byrd says as he stands with each arm around friends who have helped his campaign throughout the week despite fierce wind and busy schedules.

The two candidates have worked hard to foster these friendships that have now become the lifeblood of their campaign.

Mani, who is also a Crimson editor, says her position as Currier House Committee vice president has enabled her to reach out to Quadlings and to add new names to her personal e-mail list of over 600 students.

“Divya knows people from many circles: math and science guys, musicians, artists and football players. She’s made it a point to meet all the new sophomores in Currier,” Currier HoCo President Lacey R. Whitmire ’05 says.

Byrd has carved out his own large group of buddies as a friendly and respected member of the football team.

While Byrd and Mani can count on large support from their friends, they say they realize they must reach out to the people who do not know them.

“Our campaign is about the people,” Byrd shouts earnestly to his band of supporters. “We’re talking literally from the grass up.”

Byrd and Mani have focused their campaign strategy on reaching out to students of all walks, reflecting their ability to relate to people of diverse backgrounds. Mani, a woman of Indian descent, says she hopes to increase support for different cultural groups around campus. She and Byrd had also touted their plan to visit every room in Harvard Yard this past weekend, though the duo ultimately abandoned the idea and instead “took it easy.”

Byrd has earned the esteem of some council members for his amiable personality and his sense of humor, which lightens the tone of meetings that sometimes get very boring.

During the candidates’ debate last Thursday, Byrd fielded question after question on his relative lack of concrete accomplishment.

“I don’t deny that I haven’t been involved in the legislation process,” Byrd said during the debate, adding that he was trying to set out a vision of a president who would be a new face in dealing with the administration.