Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna)

Anna's Hummingbird Calypte anna 

These Hummingbirds are very common in our parts, as they are the only hummingbird that overwinters here. They start reproducing very early in the year, some as early as January or February, and tend to have their babies leave their nest around now (March-April).

The male Anna's Hummingbird perched on a branch in Beacon Hill Park, Victoria. I tend to hear them before I spot them - they have a high pitched squeaking sound that is unmistakable. 

The pink iridescence of the male Anna's Hummingbird feathers is very distinctive and if you spot this colour, you'll be sure it's an Anna's. It can be hard to see if the light isn't reflecting just right (the feathers appear black with different angles) and with a female it is harder, as she will only have a 1-4 pink feathers below her bill. This one was caught on Royal Roads University campus while doing a bird banding workshop.

This is a momma (notice how drab she is) feeding her teenager. I spotted these two in Oakbay, Victoria. The teenager  's bill still needs to do some growing to measure up to an adults size, and sometimes the growth rings found on the bill is useful to age a bird.