This list includes 12 Common Animals that start with U that begin with U, from “Uakari” to “Uromastyx”. Many come from diverse groups such as mammals, reptiles, birds, and fish. This list helps students, teachers, and nature enthusiasts identify animals and explore basic taxonomy.
Common Animals that start with U are a small, varied group whose common names begin with U. The Amazon uakari’s bright red face is a famous example used in wildlife education.
Below you’ll find the table with common name, scientific name, order, and habitat/distribution.
Common name: The everyday name you recognize, so you can quickly spot familiar animals and match them to images.
Scientific name: The Latin binomial helps you find the exact species and avoid confusion between similar common names.
Order: The taxonomic order shows broader relationships and helps you see which animals are closely related.
Habitat/distribution: Brief notes on where each animal lives and its geographic range, useful for field or classroom context.
Common Animals that start with U
Common name | Scientific name | Order | Habitat/Distribution |
---|---|---|---|
Urial | Ovis vignei | Artiodactyla | Mountainous regions of Central and South Asia. |
Uakari | Cacajao calvus | Primates | Amazon rainforest in South America, near rivers. |
Umbrellabird | Cephalopterus ornatus | Passeriformes | Humid forests of Central and South America. |
Ulysses Butterfly | Papilio ulysses | Lepidoptera | Australasia, including northeastern Australia and New Guinea. |
Unicornfish | Naso unicornis | Acanthuriformes | Coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region. |
Uinta Ground Squirrel | Urocitellus armatus | Rodentia | Mountainous regions of the western United States. |
Upland Sandpiper | Bartramia longicauda | Charadriiformes | Grasslands in North America; winters in South America. |
Underwing Moth | Catocala spp. | Lepidoptera | Forests and woodlands throughout the Northern Hemisphere. |
Uromastyx | Uromastyx spp. | Squamata | Arid and desert regions of Africa and the Middle East. |
Ural Owl | Strix uralensis | Strigiformes | Boreal forests across Europe and northern Asia. |
Upland Buzzard | Buteo hemilasius | Accipitriformes | Open, high-altitude steppes and deserts in Asia. |
Upcher’s Warbler | Hippolais languida | Passeriformes | Breeds in Middle East; winters in East Africa. |
Descriptions

Urial
A species of wild sheep with long legs and a reddish-brown coat. Males are known for their large, backward-curving horns and are ancestors of some domestic sheep.

Uakari
A New World monkey famous for its bald head, long coat, and strikingly bright red face, which indicates good health and helps in mate selection.

Umbrellabird
A large black bird named for the impressive crest of feathers on its head that resembles an umbrella. Males also have a long, inflatable wattle on their throat.

Ulysses Butterfly
A large, spectacular swallowtail butterfly known for its brilliant, iridescent blue wings that are visible from hundreds of feet away. It is an emblem for tourism in Queensland.

Unicornfish
A type of surgeonfish named for the prominent bony horn projecting from its head, in front of its eyes. This “horn” develops as the fish matures.

Uinta Ground Squirrel
A medium-sized ground squirrel found in meadows and open areas. They are highly social, live in extensive burrows, and hibernate for up to eight months of the year.

Upland Sandpiper
A unique shorebird that prefers open prairies and fields to coastlines. It’s known for its distinctive wolf-whistle call and for its habit of perching on fence posts.

Underwing Moth
A large group of moths known for their drab, bark-like forewings that provide excellent camouflage. Their hindwings are brightly colored, flashed to startle potential predators.

Uromastyx
A genus of lizards also known as spiny-tailed lizards or dabb lizards. They are primarily herbivorous and use their distinctive, heavily-spiked tail for defense against predators.

Ural Owl
A large nocturnal owl, smaller than the Great Grey Owl but larger than the Tawny Owl. It is a powerful and aggressive predator, especially when defending its nest.

Upland Buzzard
One of the largest buzzards, comparable in size to some eagles. It is a powerful raptor that preys on small mammals like pikas and voles in its vast, arid habitat.

Upcher’s Warbler
A medium-sized warbler found in semi-desert and scrub habitats. It is known for its habit of frequently wagging its long tail downwards before slowly raising it again.