Birds can be black and white for several reasons ... Identification: The black Phoebe is a small, round flycatcher with a black head, dark gray upper parts, and white underparts.

The bill is thin and pale gray. Breeding male: blue-gray above, including most of head and back. Crown has a black line at the forecrown that extends along the sides of crown; white eye ring ...

Length 7". For bill color, see sidebar below; whitish throat; brownish upperparts; mostly pale gray underparts. Adult: black-and-white striped crown. Immature: tan and brownish head stripes.