Re: Roadrunners and cursorial wing use

["James R. Cunningham" <jrccea@bellsouth.net>]

Accipiter wrote:

>  However, I do suspect that drag also plays a strong part,
> particularly in the
> on-a-dime stops, when roadrunner wings are simultaneously flared
> laterally.

I tend to think of that particular position as laterally directed vortex
lift (which can achieve higher lift coefficients than the usual wing
orientations) -- but it can just as easily be thought of as drag.  So,
yes.  You are correct.

All the best to you too,
Jim