City of Vancouver's official City Bird, the Anna's Hummingbird.

Official City Bird: Anna's Hummingbird

Anna’s Hummingbird proves to resonate most with voters. After three weeks of campaigning, the elected official city bird received 3,450 of the 8,259 votes cast.

As the official City Bird, Anna's Hummingbird will:

  • Symbolize the importance of birds in our ecoystem
  • Continue to build awareness of birds in the city
  • Encourage implementation of the Vancouver Bird Strategy

Election results

City of Vancouver residents voted online and in-person for the official City Bird between April 28 and May 14, 2017. 

Nominee Votes Percentage of votes
Anna's Hummingbird 3,450 42%
Northern Flicker 2,653 32%
Varied Thrush 1,265 15%
Spotted Towhee 891 11%

Anna's Hummingbird in its nestMeet Anna's Hummingbird

“Classy, urbane, and stylish with the heart of a tiger” describes this recent arrival to the Vancouver scene.

With their iridescent emerald feathers and sparkling rose-pink throats, Anna’s Hummingbird are more like flying jewelry than birds, but they are also fierce defenders and enforce their turf with tenacity.  

In their thrilling and athletic courtship displays, males climb up to 40 m into the air and then swoop to the ground at break-neck speed with a curious burst of noise that they produce through their tail feathers.  

Their housing needs are modest and Anna’s Hummingbirds could easily live in the potted plant in any Vancouver neighbourhood.  

Learn more about the official City Bird

City Bird photography

Our City Bird photos were taken exclusively by 16-year-old Liron Gertsman.

A multiple award-winning bird watcher and photographer, his body of work is a testament to his special talents and passion.

With a love for outdoors, Liron is determined to protect our precious environment.  

See more of Liron's work

Learn more about birds in Vancouver

Vancouver Bird Strategy

The Vancouver Bird Strategy works to create conditions for native birds to thrive in Vancouver.

Birds in our city

Birds are an excellent indicator of a healthy ecosystem—a link between people and local biodiversity.