The original describers of Hongshanornis noted the apparent presence of a large feathered crest on the head, though the feather traces are extremely poor quality and it may be an artifact of preservation.
When describing Hongshanornis, the first researchers pointed out what appeared to be a distinctive, feathered plume on its head, although the delicate impressions of feathers are extremely fragile and might have been compromised by the preservation method.