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How to Identify it:  Grey body with black neck and head with distinctive white mark under chin and on the side of the head.

This is a common resident bird, but there are several subspecies which are migrant during winter months so expert bird watchers can puzzle out the 7 different subspecies of Canada Goose in local fresh waters and along nearshore marine waters. This large goose  feeds on aquatic vegetation and also grazes on grasses and lawns.  They nest  in wetlands, urban parklands and riversides with a simple nest, close to water.  Females on eggs have been found as early as February but late March and early April are more common. Young geese take to water and swim after their parents and are often seen from Mid April to late May.  While sitting on the nest the female molts her flight feathers and so can not fly while she tends her young.  There have been large population increases of this bird on urban lakes and the large numbers of geese feeding and pooping on park lawns has caused conflict between wildlife lovers and park users.  Canada Geese population reduction activities have been controversial although some have effectively lowered geese numbers in some parks.
 

How to Identify it: Grey goose with yellow legs and large white spot behind bill

This is fall and spring migrant, showing up in September and October and then again in March through May. They are typically found in wetlands, river estuaries and marine tidal mudflats, sometimes in large flocks.  They feed on vegetation along the shoreline and in shallow water.
 

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How to Identify it: Black head and back, with a white "collar" under its head, white rear.

This is a winter migrant, arriving in October and most of them leave by the end of April although an occasional straggler may hang out as late as June. There is often a noticeable increase in this small goose in February as spring migrants pull in on their way north.  This bird feeds principally on eel grass and so is typically only found in protected shallow marine bays or estuaries with lots of eel grass or sea lettuce.  

How to Identify it: White with black wing tips.

This winter migrant is most often seen in huge flocks of several thousand birds along the Skagit river and Stillaguamish river estuaries. They come to farm fields during the day to feed, and roost in nearshore marine waters at night.  They begin arriving in late September and are usually gone by the end of March. 

How to Identify it:  Large size, white bird with black bill

This huge bird is hard to miss, especially when a hundred or more of them are foraging in corn fields.  They arrive in October and usually depart by the end of March, and are commonly seen in farm fields along the Skagit river estuary areas. A southern population in the Snohomish and lower Snoqualmie river area has become established in recent years.  Swans roost for the night on protected bays and small lakes and during the day they feed on grain, corn, vegetation and sometimes root up potatoes or carrots from fields.  Distinguishing between trumpeter and tundra swans requires a close look at the bill and even expert bird watchers sometimes have trouble making a positive identification.  Trumpeter swans can be easily distinguished however  by their brassy, trumpet-like call. Sadly, hundreds of these birds have died in recent years  from being poisoned by ingesting lead shot.