New World Warblers (Parulidae)

Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) - HBW 15, p. 739

French: Paruline à ailes dorées German: Goldflügel-Waldsänger Spanish: Reinita Alidorada
Other common names: Brewster's Warbler, Lawrence's Warbler (hybrids with V. cyanoptera)

Taxonomy: Motacilla chrysoptera Linnaeus, 1766, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Recent studies of mitochondrial DNA indicate that this species and V. cyanoptera form a clade, separate from the other species currently placed in genus; a recent study indicates that Protonotaria citrea and Limnothlypis swainsonii may also be genetically close to this species pair. Hybridizes regularly with V. cyanoptera where breeding ranges overlap. Monotypic.

Distribution: Breeds from S Canada (SE Manitoba, S Ontario) and N USA (Minnesota) E past Great Lakes to Pennsylvania, and S in Appalachians to N Georgia; migrates to wintering grounds from SE Mexico and Guatemala S to Panama, a few reaching N South America.