The shaggy tuft on the crown of their head is what gives them their name. They congregate in groups, sometimes standing with their wings outstretched to dry, as they aren’t waterproof. Shags are similar-looking but smaller than their Cormorant cousins. You might also see groups of Eider ducks (“dunters” in Orcadian) – the males are distinctive black and white with a patch of yellowish green at the back of the head. The females are a much plainer brown, which helps them stay camouflaged on the nest. Eiders can be usually seen fairly close to shore as their diet is made up of marine molluscs such as mussels.
Shag courtesy of Lindsay Reid | Eider Ducks - courtesy of Lisa-Marie Muir
This video shows some of the birds you might see on your ferry journey:
