# Moult terminology: envisioning an evolutionary approach

*PRI Rank #1 · Topics and Trends in Most Cited Avian ecology and behavior Papers, Class of 2026*

*Canonical URL: https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/avian-ecology-and-behavior/2026/rank-1*

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Rank | #1 |
| 18m citations | 182 |
| Journal | Journal of Avian Biology |
| Year | 2024 |
| DOI | 10.1111/jav.03169 |
| Corresponding authors | Peter Pyle |
| Institution | The Institute for Bird Populations Petaluma CA USA, United States |

**Ranking page:** [Topics and Trends in Most Cited Avian ecology and behavior Papers, Class of 2026](https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/avian-ecology-and-behavior/2026)

**Paper link:** [10.1111/jav.03169](https://doi.org/10.1111/jav.03169)

## Topics

avian moult terminology · Humphrey-Parkes system · life-cycle moult nomenclature · prebasic moult · preformative moult · prealternate moult · presupplemental moult · simple basic strategy · complex basic strategy · simple alternate strategy · complex alternate strategy · moult homology · evolutionary moult framework · inserted moults · moult cycle evolution · reptilian moult origins · feather replacement strategies · juvenile plumage durability · migratory species moult patterns · passerine moult evolution

## Cite this ranking

```
Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Avian ecology and behavior Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/avian-ecology-and-behavior/2026. Accessed 2026-07-21.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459
```