# The respiratory system influences flight mechanics in soaring birds

*PRI Rank #18 · 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-18*

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Rank | #18 |
| 18m citations | 18 |
| Journal | Nature |
| Year | 2024 |
| DOI | 10.1038/s41586-024-07485-y |
| Corresponding authors | Emma R. Schachner |
| Institution | University of Florida, 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:** [10.1038/s41586-024-07485-y](https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07485-y)

## Topics

respiratory system · flight mechanics · soaring bird · avian respiration · aerodynamics · air sac system · gliding flight · body mass distribution · center of mass · wing loading · thermal soaring · respiratory-locomotor coupling

## 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
```