Known for its fossils including feathered dinosaurs, the age of the formation is uncertain.

Ji and colleagues suggested in 2008 that the Qiaotou Member correlates with the Dawangzhangzi bed of the Yixian Formation, dated to ~122 Ma ago by Zhou in 2006.

[2] Ji et al. also suggested that the lower Sichakou Member correlates with the Dadianzi Formation, dated to 140 Ma ago by Tian and colleagues in 2003.

[3] The faunal lists below are based on a survey of the Huajiying Formation by Jin Fan and colleagues in 2008, unless otherwise noted.

[4] "Hebeiornis" "H. fengningensis" Qiaotou Member Nomen nudum/objective junior synonym of Vescornis Jibeinia J. luanhera Qiaotou Member Jinfengopteryx J. elegans Qiaotou Member Protopteryx P. fengningensis Sichakou Member Shenqiornis[1] S. mengi Qiaotou Member Vescornis V. hebeiensis Qiaotou Member Lycoptera L. davidi Also present in the Jiufotang Formation & Yixian Formation An osteoglossomorph L. tokunagai Peipiaosteus P. fengningensis A fish related to sturgeons Protopsephurus P. liui Also present in the Jiufotang & Yixian Formations A paddlefish Yanosteus Y. longidorsalis Also present in the Yixian Formation A peipiaosteid