Breeds in Aleutian Is (eastern from Unimak I and Shumagin Is) and western and north-central Alaska, western Canada (central Yukon and probably south-western Northwest Territories south to southern British Columbia and south-western Alberta) and adjacent USA (extreme north-western Washington). Non-breeding from southern Alaska and southern British Columbia south to south-western USA (south to western California and eastern Nevada) and north-western Mexico (northern and central Baja California, rarely south to Sonora).
 
Population
Estimated population is 5,000,000 (2010).
Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia) [XC481152]
by Sue Riffe from Willamette Bluff, North Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon, United States (song)
Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla) [XC159882]
by Ian Cruickshank from Uplands neighbourhood, Oak Bay, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada (song)
Subspecies
No subspecies.
Genus probably close to Junco. Perhaps most closely related to White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys), with which it sometimes hybridizes. Hybridizes less frequently with White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis).