The only known species, Ambiortus dementjevi, lived sometime during the Barremian age between 136.4 and 125 million years ago[1] in the Andaikhudag Formation of Mongolia.

[2] Ambiortus dementjevi belongs to Ornithuromorpha (the group containing modern birds but not Enantiornithes), according to all published cladistic analyses.

Early studies suggested it was a member of Palaeognathae, the group containing modern ratites and tinamou,[3] but this has not been supported by later research.

[5] The family Ambiortidae is sometimes used for this genus, especially if it is considered a close relative of the much younger Apsaravis.

[6] The results of a cladistic analysis published in 2011, on the other hand, indicate that at least Apsaravis and Palintropus (which was mistaken as a much more modern bird initially) are very closely related.