[8] An additional specimen of Messelastur from Messel pit was described in 2011 by Mayr, finding that Messelasturidae was closely related to the extinct family Halcyornithidae, and both were likely stem-groups to Psittaciformes.

A phylogenetic analysis constrained to molecular data conducted in the study found messelasturids closely related to Psittacopasserae, the clade containing Passeriformes and Psittaciformes, but a sister group relationship with Halcyornithidae was not recovered.

It is possible that they had a raptorial ecology, and hard shelled invertebrates have also been suggested as a food source, but other items like fruit and seeds cannot be ruled out.

Tynskya remains have been found in the US (Green River Formation), and in the UK (London Clay), illustrating the resemblance between the early Eocene birds of North America and Europe.

[10] An indeterminate bird from the Paleocene aged Menat maar deposit in France bears similarities to both Messelasturidae and Halcyornithidae.