Genus: Sinornis SERENO & RAO, 1992
Etymology: Latin, Sino, "China" and Greek, ornis, "bird."

Species: santensis SERENO & RAO, 1992
Etymology: Santa, three temples, traditional Chinese name for Chaoyoung county in Liaoning Province where the bird skeletons were found, Latin, ensis, "place."
= Genus: Nova RAO & SERENO, 1990

Holotype: Beijing Natural History Museum, BPV 538a and counterpart BPV 538b

Locality: Meileyingzi, Chaoyang City, Liaoning Province, China.

Horizon: Horizon IV, Jiufotang Formation, Upper Jehol Group.

Biostratigraphy: Psittacosaurus fauna, Cathayornis-Chaoyanga Avifauna.

Age: Barremian Stage, Lower Gallic Subepoch, Lower Early Cretaceous Epoch, Early Cretaceous.

Material: Fragmentary skull, and fragmentary skeleton.