New World Warblers (Parulidae)

Lucy's Warbler (Vermivora luciae) - HBW 15, p. 742

French: Paruline de Lucy German: Rotbürzel-Waldsänger Spanish: Reinita de Lucy

Taxonomy: Helminthophaga luciae J. G. Cooper, 1861, Fort Mojave, near latitude 35° N, Colorado Valley, Arizona, USA.
Recent studies of mitochondrial DNA indicate that this species and V. peregrina, V. celata, V. ruficapilla, V. virginiae and V. crissalis form a clade, separate from the two other current congeners, and should be placed in a separate genus, for which the name Leiothlypis has been proposed; Parula gutturalis and Parula superciliosa appear to be sister to this group. Monotypic.

Distribution: Breeds patchily in SW USA (from S Nevada and S Utah S to S California, E to extreme W Texas) and extreme N Mexico (N Chihuahua). Migrates to coastal regions of W Mexico, mainly from S Sonora S to W Guerrero.