In members of this family, the nasoantorbital fenestra is massive, with the rear edge extending as far back as the braincase and jaw joint.

The front edge is formed by a rod of bone known as the premaxillary bar, which is unusually slender in members of this family.

[8] Below is a cladogram showing the phylogenetic analysis conducted by paleontologist Brian Andres and colleagues in 2014.

[11] Chaoyangopterus zhangi Jidapterus edentus Shenzhoupterus chaoyangensis Eoazhdarcho liaoxiensis Azhdarcho lancicollis Zhejiangopterus linhaiensis Arambourgiania philadelphiae Quetzalcoatlus northropi A 2021 study focused on Aerotitan recovers Xericeps and Argentinadraco as sister taxa within Chaoyangopteridae.

[13] Shenzhoupterus chaoyangensis Xericeps curvirostris Argentinadraco barrealensis Chaoyangopterus zhangi Jidapterus edentus Lacusovagus magnificens Like their azhdarchid relatives, pterosaurs that belong to the Chaoyangopteridae were terrestrial predators.