Which mechanism impairs avian flight during periods of prolonged heavy rainfall, increasing effective stall speed?

💡 Explanation

When heavy rain persists, water accumulates within the plumage, effectively increasing wing loading because the bird must carry the extra weight, shifting the lift to drag ratio and increasing stall speed. Therefore elevated wing loading hinders flying, rather than just camber reduction, drag increase or lift decrease that may reduce efficiency, but do not directly increase bird weight during flight.

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