Along with Aegypius jinniushanensis, L. lui is one of several new species of extinct birds discovered at Jinniushan, Liaoning, China.

[3] L. lui is the only member of Leptoptilos from the Pleistocene so far to have been discovered outside of its modern range.

[a][4] The humerus and proximal phalanx are longer and more robust than those of any other Leptoptilos on record.

[2] With very long wings, L. lui was probably a good flyer that mainly relied on gliding and soaring on the thermal air currents available then, as the climate conditions in the region during the Middle Pleistocene was a lot warmer and more humid.

[3] L. lui most likely relied on scavenging from Pleistocene megafauna for the bulk of its food source.