The wings were long and broad, but tapered and pointed at the tips. The first few primary flight feathers were much shorter than the rest. The total wing area was 0.016 square meters. The wing digits bore small claws, with the claw on the first finger (the alular digit) much larger than that of the second finger (major digit). "Hongshanornis" is characterized by very long legs, with the lower leg ("tibiotarsus") more than one and a half times longer than the upper leg ("femur"). The toes were long and thin, with small claws. The first toe ("hallux") was very small, and the second toe was much shorter than the fourth. The third toe was longest.