The northern flicker has been denied once again.

Today, Mayor Gregor Robertson chirpily announced that Anna's Hummingbird has been elected by Vancouver residents as their official city bird.

It takes over the roost on a permanent basis from last year's winner, the peregrine falcon.

Anna's hummingbird attracted 3,450 of the 8,259 votes cast, or 42 percent. That's slightly above the B.C. Liberal party's percentage in the May 9 provincial election.

The northern flicker collected 2,663 votes, which accounted for 32 percent of all ballots cast.

The varied thrush (15 percent) and the spotted towhee (11 percent) were well back of the two leaders.

Two years ago, Anna's hummingbird was the wingman, coming second, when the black-capped chickadee became the first elected city bird.

That year, the northern flicker came third.

The announcement of Anna's hummingbird's victory came at the Vancouver Public Library's central branch after a performance of "The Gathering Flock" by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Brass Quartet.

It came after the conclusion of Vancouver Bird Week, which featured a series of ornithological events around town.

Next year, Vancouver will host the International Ornithological Congress and the first Vancouver International Bird Festival.