Initially assigned to Coracii, similarities have instead been noted with Palaeopsittacus, and it may instead be more closely related to Strisores, the clade including hummingbirds, nightjars, and swifts.

The holotype of Ueekenkcoracias (MPEF-PV 10991) was recovered from the Laguna del Hunco locality, which consists of strata belonging to the Huitrera Formation of Patagonia.

[1] The generic name of Ueekenkcoracias is derived from the native Tehuelche word ueekenk ("outsider"), in reference to its unusual presence in South America, and Coracias.

The species name, U. tambussiae, honors Claudia Patricia Tambussi, to commemorate her contributions to South American palaeornithology.

He categorically dismissed the hypothesis that it was a coraciiform, and pointed out that the above traits were instead more similar to Palaeopsittacus, a European taxon that may be closer to Strisores (the clade including hummingbirds, nightjars, and swifts).