[oops, I mistakenly sent my reply to Jeny directly without "editing" her
email address, so it bounced -- you'd think I'd learn how to respond to
newsgroup posts, but nooooooo...... in any event, here goes]

Jeny,

I think that your "black and white" hummingbird may have simply been a wet
female Ruby-throated Hummingbird (the only species normally seen in the
Eastern US, except for the occasional overwintering Rufuous Hummingbird).

Although the various bird guides show the female Ruby-throated as green on
the back (along with just about every other hummer in the world, as far as I
can see), they simply don't always look the same way! Sometimes they seem
green, sometimes just dark, depending on light, etc. They may also look
different when moulting (growing new feathers), but I think this is the
wrong time of year for that.

For info on hummingbirds in general, I suggest you visit
http://www.rubythroat.org/OtherSpeciesMain.html

Anne Lurie
NE Raleigh

"Raleighgirl" wrote in message
. com...
We were sitting outside this afternoon and couldn't believe our
eyes! A black and white hummingbird! After a frustrating search
on google it may be either a female blue throated or a Lucifer
hummingbird. Is that possible? Any good hummingbird
identification sites you all have found?
Thanks,
Jeny