Which mechanism assists soaring birds in compensating against increased wing loading induced by added mass, for instance rainwater accumulating in plumage?

💡 Explanation

Differential air sac inflation adjusts the center of gravity relative to wings, thereby offsetting increased wing loading, because it shifts the bird’s mass for optimal balance and aerodynamic control in response to varying weights; therefore, this air sac adjustment helps, rather than slower metabolism or bone adaptations which are too slow.

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