# Learning shapes the development of migratory behavior

*PRI Rank #7 · 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-7*

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Rank | #7 |
| 18m citations | 29 |
| Journal | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |
| Year | 2024 |
| DOI | 10.1073/pnas.2306389121 |
| Corresponding authors | Ellen O. Aikens, Andrea Flack |
| Institution | University of Wyoming, 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:** [10.1073/pnas.2306389121](https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2306389121)

## Topics

Ontogeny of migratory behavior · exploration–refinement hypothesis · Ciconia ciconia · Ciconia ciconia · individual learning · Ontogeny of migratory behavior · energy expenditure during flight · information gain · exploratory behavior · spatial memory · novel shortcuts · spring migration · age-dependent migration patterns · energy-time-information trade-offs · movement directness · long-distance migration · lifetime refinement

## 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
```