The Golden-winged Sparrow is distributed in northern Colombia and north-west Venezuela. There is a distribution map on NatureServe. It is found in undergrowth and shrubbery in deciduous woodland from 250 to 1,400 metres in altitude.

It has a bright yellow bill, an entirely black head extending down to a partial collar on the neck. It is the only Arremon without stripes on the head. The shoulders are bright yellow.

The song is a series of high, thin notes.