Genus: Rapaxavis MORSCHHAUSER, VARRICCHIO, GAO, LIU, WANG, CHENG, & MENG, 2009
Etymology: Latin, rapax, "grasping" and Latin, avis, "bird": In reference to the inferred grasping ablity of the pes of this indiviual.

Species: pani MORSCHHAUSER, VARRICCHIO, GAO, LIU, WANG, CHENG, & MENG, 2009
Etymology: In honor of Mr. Pan Liuan who discovered the specimen. There is also a parallel in the specimens name with the Greek god Pan, who, according to some traditions, is synonymous with Silvanus, the Roman god of the woods. The ecosystem of the Jehol Group is interpreted as a series of lakes in a forested region.

Holotype: DMNH D2422

Locality: Liaoxi, Chaoyang City, Lianhe town, Xiaioyugon, Lioning Province, China.

Horizon: Jiufontang Formation.

Biostratigraphy:

Age: Aptian Stage, Middle Gallic Subepoch, Upper Early Cretaceous Epoch, Early Cretaceous.

Material: Skull and nearly complete skeleton.

Rapaxavis pani (modified from after O’CONNOR & CHIAPPE, 2011), Holotype: DMNH D2422.