[1] In 2007, the type species Paraprotopeteryx gracilis was named and described by Zheng Xiaoting, Zhang Zihui and Hou Lianhai.

The generic name means "near Protopteryx", in reference to a presumed similarity with that genus.

The investigation preceding the description of the species proved that fossil traders had added the skull of a different individual to the torso.

[1] Though initially reported to be from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation, later investigation showed that the fossil actually came from the Qiaotou Member of the Huajiying Formation of Fengning, Hebei Province, China, and is therefore of uncertain age.

Paraprotopteryx would have had a furcula (wishbone) which is shaped like a Y with a narrow angle between the clavicles.