What colour PATTERN if any was on the BACK ?

Streaking or barring refers to stripes of colour running down or across the bird's back. Note whether the bird's back is streaked, barred or uniform in colour.

This is important in identifying many birds. Indeed, if the back is brown and streaked and the bird is smaller than a Robin then the bird is probably sparrow-like. However, some sandpipers and song or perching birds have species with streaked backs.

Checkered patterns help identify several species of loons and songbirds.