Utah is a mecca for birds making it a prime place for your kids to learn about our winged friends. Just step out your front door and you can whistle along with a choir of mourning doves, listen to a woodpecker peck away, or watch a red-tailed hawk soar above with its 4-foot wide wingspan. You may even be able to time it just right to see a great horned owl before it heads off in search of its daytime resting place.

Even with all the birds in Utah, there are so many others that cannot be found soaring in our skies, but can be found at one of two public aviaries in the United States: the Utah-based Tracy Aviary.

Here are six birds you would never expect to see in Utah, and your kids would love to interact with.

1. Andean condor

While condors are found in Utah, specifically, the California condor, there is one who ranks above the rest: the Andean condor.

Not only is it the largest of the species of bird, but it is also the largest flying bird in the world with a wingspan of 10 feet and a weight of up to 33 pounds. Due to their size, they prefer to take flight near the high peaks of South America’s Andes Mountains where they can take advantage of the strong winds that help move their heavy bodies through the air without a lot of effort.

If you plan a trip to Salt Lake, your kids might just find themselves face-to-face with the famous Andy, the Andean condor, out and about on a walk.

2. Milky eagle owls

Also called Verreaux's eagle-owl (though let's face it; it's probably easier for your kids to say "milky eagle owl"), these owls are the largest owls in Africa measuring to about 26 inches tall. Though their gray feathers allow them to blend into their environment, they are distinguishable by their bright pink eyelids.

Your kids can see them up close or if they just have an affinity for all owls, consider taking a walk through an owl-y forest.

3. Chilean flamingos

Your kids might play with the plastic imitations of these pink beauties in your neighbor’s flowerbed, but there is nothing quite like seeing the real thing.

The Chilean flamingos live in warm, tropical environments in South America. They are a vibrant pink color that is even more magnificent in the high-noon sun reflecting off the waters surrounding them. And having the chance to watch them as they gracefully move along their shallow lake habitat is a treat in itself.

4. Violaceous turaco

Your kids will need to look hard for these plantain eating birds as they tend to run within the branches of trees rather than fly above your heads.

These breathtakingly beautiful birds are found in the tropical areas of West Africa. However, you and your kids don’t need to leave the state to immerse yourselves in the Tracy Aviary’s humid Treasures of the Rainforest exhibit and experience the rainforest.

1. Kea

The biggest parrot species, the Kea is a curious and intelligent bird. If you've got a family clown in your home, they might be naturally drawn to the "the clown of the mountains," often exploring clothes, backpacks, shoes, cell phones and more.

If you and your kids would like a chance to see this rare bird in its natural habitat, a trip to South Island of New Zealand may need to be in order. (Or, the much closer Aviary in Salt Lake.)

6. Sun conures

While conures (parrots) are often found as pets in birdcages around the world, seeing them flying around in a natural habitat has become rarer in recent years, and this is the case for the Sun conures.

These endangered birds are very social and are can be seen moving in flocks through the Brazilian sky, looking like a beautiful sunset in their natural habitat of South America. Open up your hands full of seeds in the southwest corner of Liberty Park and you’ll find these conures flocking to you.

Tracy Aviary has provided humane living spaces for hundreds of birds from all around the world giving people a place to witness and learn about these beautiful birds that share our world. Dedicated to conservation and education, the non-profit recently unveiled its new $3.5 million gem, Treasures of the Rainforest, for Utahn families and bird lovers to explore.

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