Recent molecular-genetic studies suggest that this genus and Nesospingus, Chlorospingus and Phaenicophilus form a monophyletic clade that is sister to several New World warbler (Parulidae) genera (including Dendroica, Basileuterus and Vermivora), and are not closely related to other genera of present family. This species forms a superspecies with Western Spindalis (Spindalis zena), Hispaniolan Spindalis (Spindalis dominicensis) and Puerto Rican Spindalis (Spindalis portoricensis) and all were formerly treated as conspecific, but differ in morphology, plumage and vocalizations, and are geographically isolated from one another. Further taxonomic evaluation may be warranted.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet