Theory 02/Bigger animals are slower
Wind Reverses the Size Ranking
The claim
In headwinds, larger birds achieve higher ground speeds than smaller ones at the same airspeed, because wing loading changes the optimum.
01Mechanism
Ground speed is airspeed minus wind; the optimal airspeed rises with wing loading.
02Prediction
Size ranking should reverse with wind direction.
03Refutation
Ranking independent of wind would remove the loading effect.