Antonio Celis-Murillo, Ph.D.
Antonio is currently the Chief of the USGS Bird Banding Lab (BBL) at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD.
He has been a Biologist at the BBL since 2017 and has been working with the BBL team to strengthen the data management system for bird banding data, support research projects that use banding data, and coordinate efforts in North America and the Western Hemisphere. Currently, as Chief, he works with the BBL team and BBL partners to ensure that the lab remains the premier resource for long-term bird banding and marking data in North America. Antonio’s main goal is to make sure the BBL becomes a robust, integrated scientific resource that that rapidly adapts to new science needs, study methods, and technologies to facilitate successful and effective bird management and conservation science.
He studied various aspects of avian ecology and behavior with the overarching goal of improving conservation efforts, including bird migration, movements, population dynamics of species of concern and bioacoustics.
Professional Experience
BBL Manager at USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center
BBL Biologist at USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Postdoctoral research position at the Illinois Natural History Survey
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. in Natural Resources and Environmental Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2015)
Masters in Integrative Biology (2008)
B.S. in Biology from the Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Morelos in Mexico (2002)
Science and Products
Integrating data types to estimate spatial patterns of avian migration across the Western Hemisphere
For many avian species, spatial migration patterns remain largely undescribed, especially across hemispheric extents. Recent advancements in tracking technologies and high-resolution species distribution models (i.e., eBird Status and Trends products) provide new insights into migratory bird movements and offer a promising opportunity for integrating independent data sources to describe...
Authors
Timothy D. Meehan, Sarah P. Saunders, William V. Deluca, Nicole L. Michel, Joanna Grand, Jill L. Deppe, MIguel JImenez, Erika Knight, Nathaniel E. Seavy, Melanie E. Smith, Lotem Taylor, Chad Witko, Michael Akresh, David S. Barber, David Bayne, James C. Beasley, Jerrold L. Belant, Richard O. Bierregaard, Keith L. Bildstein, Than J. Boves, John N. Brzorad, Steven B. Campbell, Antonio Celis-Murillo, Hillary Cooke, Robert Domenech, Laurie J. Goodrich, Elizabeth A. Gow, Aaron M. Haines, Michael T. Hallworth, Jason M. Hill, Amanda E. Holland, Scott Jennings, Roland Kays, Tommy King, Kent MacFarland, Stewart Mckenzie, Peter P. Marra, Rebbeca McCabe, Kent P. McFarland, Michael J. McGrady, John Melcer Jr., Ryan Norris, Russell Norvell, Olin E. Rhodes, Christopher C. Rimmer, Amy L. Scarpignato, Adam Shreading, Jesse Watson, Chad Wilsey
Local fruit availability and en route wind conditions are poor predictors of bird abundance and composition during fall migration in coastal Yucatán Peninsula
In migratory stopover habitats, bird abundance and composition change on a near daily basis. On any given day, the local bird community should reflect local environmental conditions but also the environments that birds encountered previously along their migratory route. For example, during fall migration, the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico receives birds that have just crossed...
Authors
Richard S. Feldman, Antonio Celis-Murillo, Jill L. Deppe, Alfredo Dorantes-Euan
Retreat, detour or advance? Understanding the movements of birds confronting the Gulf of Mexico
During migration, birds must locate stopover habitats that provide sufficient resources to rest and refuel while en route to the breeding or non-breeding area. Long-distance migrants invariably encounter inhospitable geographic features, the edges of which are often characterized by habitat limited in food and safety. In response, they often depart in directions inconsistent with...
Authors
Theodore J. Zenzal, Michael P. Ward, Robert H. Diehl, Jeffrey J. Buler, Jaclyn (Contractor) Ann Smolinsky, Jill L. Deppe, Rachel T. Bolus, Antonio Celis-Murillo, Frank R. Moore
Estimating apparent survival of songbirds crossing the Gulf of Mexico during autumn migration
Many migratory bird species are declining, and the migratory period may limit populations because of the risk in traversing large geographical features during passage. Using automated radio-telemetry, we tracked 139 Swainson's thrushes (Catharus ustulatus) departing coastal Alabama, USA and crossing the Gulf of Mexico to arrive in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico during autumn. We estimated...
Authors
Michael P. Ward, Thomas J. Benson, Jill L. Deppe, Theodore J. Zenzal, Robert H. Diehl, Antonio Celis-Murillo, Rachel T. Bolus, Frank R. Moore
Fat, weather, and date affect migratory songbirds’ departure decisions, routes, and time it takes to cross the Gulf of Mexico
Approximately two thirds of migratory songbirds in eastern North America negotiate the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), where inclement weather coupled with no refueling or resting opportunities can be lethal. However, decisions made when navigating such features and their consequences remain largely unknown due to technological limitations of tracking small animals over large areas. We used...
Authors
Jill L. Deppe, Michael P. Ward, Rachel T. Bolus, Robert H. Diehl, Antonio Celis-Murillo, Theodore J. Zenzal, Frank R. Moore, Thomas J. Benson, Jaclyn (Contractor) Ann Smolinsky, Lynn N. Schofield, David A. Enstrom, Eben H. Paxton, Gil Bohrer, Tara A. Beveroth, Arlo Raim, Renee L. Obringer, David K. Delaney, William W. Cochran
Workshop: Western hemisphere network of bird banding programs
Purpose: To promote collaboration among banding programs in the Americas. Introduction: Bird banding and marking provide indispensable tools for ornithological research, management, and conservation of migratory birds on migratory routes, breeding and non-breeding grounds. Many countries and organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean are in the process of developing or have...
Authors
Antonio Celis-Murillo
Non-USGS Publications**
Darras, K., Batáry, P., Furnas, B., Celis-Murillo, A., Van Wilgenburg, S. L., Mulyani, Y. A. and T. Tscharntke. 2018. Comparing the sampling performance of sound recorders versus point counts in bird surveys: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Ecology 55(6) 2575-2586. doi: 10.1111/1365- 2664.13229
Celis-Murillo, A., Schelsky, W. T. J. Benson, Louder, M.I.M., and M. P. Ward. 2017. Patterns, correlates, and paternity consequences of extraterritorial foray behavior in the field sparrow (Spizella pusilla): an automated telemetry approach. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 71(45). doi: 10.1007/s00265-017-2273-9
Suarez-Garcia, O., F. Gonzalez-Garcia, and A. Celis-Murillo. 2017. Entendiendo la complementariedad de dos métodos de muestreo en el estudio de comunidades de aves de un bosque mesófilo de montana en temporada reproductiva (Understanding the complementarity of two survey methods in the study of bird communities during the breeding season in a tropical cloud forest). Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad 8(4) 880-887. doi:10.1016/j.rmb.2017.10.029
Celis-Murillo, A., T. J. Benson, J. R. Sosa-Lopez, and M. P. Ward. 2016. Nocturnal songs in a diurnal passerine: Attracting mates or repelling intruders? Animal behaviour 118:105-114. doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.04.023
Healy, S. D. and S. A. Foster. 2016. Featured Articles in This Month's Animal Behaviour: Why day-active male Birds Croon at Night. Animal behaviour 118:149-151. doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.06.016
Celis-Murillo, A., K. W. Stodola, B. Pappadopoli, J. M. Burton and M. P. Ward. 2016. Seasonal and daily patterns of nocturnal singing in the Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla). Journal of Ornithology 157(3) 853–860. doi: 10.1007/s10336-015-1318-y
Deppe, J. L., M. P. Ward, R. Bolus, R. Diehl, A. Celis-Murillo, T. J. Zenzal, F. Moore, T. J. Benson, J. A. Smolinky, L. N. Schofield, D. A. Enstrom, E. H. Paxton, G. Bohrer, T. A. Beveroth, R. L. Obringer, D. Delaney and W. W. Cochran. 2015. Fat, weather, and date affect migratory songbirds’ departure decisions, routes, and time it takes to cross the Gulf of Mexico. Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences 112(46) E6331-E6338. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1503381112
Deppe, J. L., A. Celis-Murillo, and M. P. Ward. 2015. Telemetry confirms the significance of migratory stopover habitats. Gulf Coast Bird Observatory Gulf Crossings 19:3.
Zhang, V., A. Celis-Murillo and M. P. Ward. 2015. Conveying information with one song type: Changes in dawn song performance correspond to different female breeding stages. Bioacoustics 25(1) 19-28. doi: 10.1080/09524622.2015.1076348
Celis-Murillo, A., M. P. Ward, and J. L. Deppe. 2012. Effectiveness and utility of acoustic recordings for surveying tropical birds. Journal of Field Ornithology 83(2):166-179. doi:10.1111/j.1557-9263.2012.00366.x
Urbina-Torres, F., A. González-Martínez, R. Amador-Solís, O. Monroy-Vilchis and A. Celis-Murillo. 2012. Nuevos registros de aves para el Estado de México. Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad 83(4):1241-1243. doi:10.22201/ib.20078706e.2012.4.1024
MacKinnon de Montes, B., J. L. Deppe, and A. Celis-Murillo. 2011. Birds of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico: an update on the status and distribution of selected species. North American Birds 65(3):2-16.
Celis-Murillo, A., J. L. Deppe, and M. F. Allen. 2009. Using soundscape recordings to estimate species abundance, richness, and composition. Journal of Field Ornithology 80(1):64-78. doi:10.1111/j.1557-9263.2009.00206.x
Celis-Murillo, A. and F. González-García. 2008. Bird songs of the Yucatan Peninsula Vol. 1 - Audio CD. Terrapin Records. NY. USA.
González-García. F. and A. Celis-Murillo. 2008. Bird songs of Veracruz - Audio CD. Instituto de Ecología A.C. Mexico
González-García. F., A. Salvadori., C. M. Francis., A. Celis-Murillo and M. Campbell. 2006. Introduction of the Bird Songs of Veracruz, Mexico. Interactive CD-ROM of the Bird Songs of Veracruz. Prepared for the V North American Ornithology Conference 2006 (NAOC V).
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Integrating data types to estimate spatial patterns of avian migration across the Western Hemisphere
For many avian species, spatial migration patterns remain largely undescribed, especially across hemispheric extents. Recent advancements in tracking technologies and high-resolution species distribution models (i.e., eBird Status and Trends products) provide new insights into migratory bird movements and offer a promising opportunity for integrating independent data sources to describe...
Authors
Timothy D. Meehan, Sarah P. Saunders, William V. Deluca, Nicole L. Michel, Joanna Grand, Jill L. Deppe, MIguel JImenez, Erika Knight, Nathaniel E. Seavy, Melanie E. Smith, Lotem Taylor, Chad Witko, Michael Akresh, David S. Barber, David Bayne, James C. Beasley, Jerrold L. Belant, Richard O. Bierregaard, Keith L. Bildstein, Than J. Boves, John N. Brzorad, Steven B. Campbell, Antonio Celis-Murillo, Hillary Cooke, Robert Domenech, Laurie J. Goodrich, Elizabeth A. Gow, Aaron M. Haines, Michael T. Hallworth, Jason M. Hill, Amanda E. Holland, Scott Jennings, Roland Kays, Tommy King, Kent MacFarland, Stewart Mckenzie, Peter P. Marra, Rebbeca McCabe, Kent P. McFarland, Michael J. McGrady, John Melcer Jr., Ryan Norris, Russell Norvell, Olin E. Rhodes, Christopher C. Rimmer, Amy L. Scarpignato, Adam Shreading, Jesse Watson, Chad Wilsey
Local fruit availability and en route wind conditions are poor predictors of bird abundance and composition during fall migration in coastal Yucatán Peninsula
In migratory stopover habitats, bird abundance and composition change on a near daily basis. On any given day, the local bird community should reflect local environmental conditions but also the environments that birds encountered previously along their migratory route. For example, during fall migration, the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico receives birds that have just crossed...
Authors
Richard S. Feldman, Antonio Celis-Murillo, Jill L. Deppe, Alfredo Dorantes-Euan
Retreat, detour or advance? Understanding the movements of birds confronting the Gulf of Mexico
During migration, birds must locate stopover habitats that provide sufficient resources to rest and refuel while en route to the breeding or non-breeding area. Long-distance migrants invariably encounter inhospitable geographic features, the edges of which are often characterized by habitat limited in food and safety. In response, they often depart in directions inconsistent with...
Authors
Theodore J. Zenzal, Michael P. Ward, Robert H. Diehl, Jeffrey J. Buler, Jaclyn (Contractor) Ann Smolinsky, Jill L. Deppe, Rachel T. Bolus, Antonio Celis-Murillo, Frank R. Moore
Estimating apparent survival of songbirds crossing the Gulf of Mexico during autumn migration
Many migratory bird species are declining, and the migratory period may limit populations because of the risk in traversing large geographical features during passage. Using automated radio-telemetry, we tracked 139 Swainson's thrushes (Catharus ustulatus) departing coastal Alabama, USA and crossing the Gulf of Mexico to arrive in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico during autumn. We estimated...
Authors
Michael P. Ward, Thomas J. Benson, Jill L. Deppe, Theodore J. Zenzal, Robert H. Diehl, Antonio Celis-Murillo, Rachel T. Bolus, Frank R. Moore
Fat, weather, and date affect migratory songbirds’ departure decisions, routes, and time it takes to cross the Gulf of Mexico
Approximately two thirds of migratory songbirds in eastern North America negotiate the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), where inclement weather coupled with no refueling or resting opportunities can be lethal. However, decisions made when navigating such features and their consequences remain largely unknown due to technological limitations of tracking small animals over large areas. We used...
Authors
Jill L. Deppe, Michael P. Ward, Rachel T. Bolus, Robert H. Diehl, Antonio Celis-Murillo, Theodore J. Zenzal, Frank R. Moore, Thomas J. Benson, Jaclyn (Contractor) Ann Smolinsky, Lynn N. Schofield, David A. Enstrom, Eben H. Paxton, Gil Bohrer, Tara A. Beveroth, Arlo Raim, Renee L. Obringer, David K. Delaney, William W. Cochran
Workshop: Western hemisphere network of bird banding programs
Purpose: To promote collaboration among banding programs in the Americas. Introduction: Bird banding and marking provide indispensable tools for ornithological research, management, and conservation of migratory birds on migratory routes, breeding and non-breeding grounds. Many countries and organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean are in the process of developing or have...
Authors
Antonio Celis-Murillo
Non-USGS Publications**
Darras, K., Batáry, P., Furnas, B., Celis-Murillo, A., Van Wilgenburg, S. L., Mulyani, Y. A. and T. Tscharntke. 2018. Comparing the sampling performance of sound recorders versus point counts in bird surveys: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Ecology 55(6) 2575-2586. doi: 10.1111/1365- 2664.13229
Celis-Murillo, A., Schelsky, W. T. J. Benson, Louder, M.I.M., and M. P. Ward. 2017. Patterns, correlates, and paternity consequences of extraterritorial foray behavior in the field sparrow (Spizella pusilla): an automated telemetry approach. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 71(45). doi: 10.1007/s00265-017-2273-9
Suarez-Garcia, O., F. Gonzalez-Garcia, and A. Celis-Murillo. 2017. Entendiendo la complementariedad de dos métodos de muestreo en el estudio de comunidades de aves de un bosque mesófilo de montana en temporada reproductiva (Understanding the complementarity of two survey methods in the study of bird communities during the breeding season in a tropical cloud forest). Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad 8(4) 880-887. doi:10.1016/j.rmb.2017.10.029
Celis-Murillo, A., T. J. Benson, J. R. Sosa-Lopez, and M. P. Ward. 2016. Nocturnal songs in a diurnal passerine: Attracting mates or repelling intruders? Animal behaviour 118:105-114. doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.04.023
Healy, S. D. and S. A. Foster. 2016. Featured Articles in This Month's Animal Behaviour: Why day-active male Birds Croon at Night. Animal behaviour 118:149-151. doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2016.06.016
Celis-Murillo, A., K. W. Stodola, B. Pappadopoli, J. M. Burton and M. P. Ward. 2016. Seasonal and daily patterns of nocturnal singing in the Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla). Journal of Ornithology 157(3) 853–860. doi: 10.1007/s10336-015-1318-y
Deppe, J. L., M. P. Ward, R. Bolus, R. Diehl, A. Celis-Murillo, T. J. Zenzal, F. Moore, T. J. Benson, J. A. Smolinky, L. N. Schofield, D. A. Enstrom, E. H. Paxton, G. Bohrer, T. A. Beveroth, R. L. Obringer, D. Delaney and W. W. Cochran. 2015. Fat, weather, and date affect migratory songbirds’ departure decisions, routes, and time it takes to cross the Gulf of Mexico. Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences 112(46) E6331-E6338. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1503381112
Deppe, J. L., A. Celis-Murillo, and M. P. Ward. 2015. Telemetry confirms the significance of migratory stopover habitats. Gulf Coast Bird Observatory Gulf Crossings 19:3.
Zhang, V., A. Celis-Murillo and M. P. Ward. 2015. Conveying information with one song type: Changes in dawn song performance correspond to different female breeding stages. Bioacoustics 25(1) 19-28. doi: 10.1080/09524622.2015.1076348
Celis-Murillo, A., M. P. Ward, and J. L. Deppe. 2012. Effectiveness and utility of acoustic recordings for surveying tropical birds. Journal of Field Ornithology 83(2):166-179. doi:10.1111/j.1557-9263.2012.00366.x
Urbina-Torres, F., A. González-Martínez, R. Amador-Solís, O. Monroy-Vilchis and A. Celis-Murillo. 2012. Nuevos registros de aves para el Estado de México. Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad 83(4):1241-1243. doi:10.22201/ib.20078706e.2012.4.1024
MacKinnon de Montes, B., J. L. Deppe, and A. Celis-Murillo. 2011. Birds of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico: an update on the status and distribution of selected species. North American Birds 65(3):2-16.
Celis-Murillo, A., J. L. Deppe, and M. F. Allen. 2009. Using soundscape recordings to estimate species abundance, richness, and composition. Journal of Field Ornithology 80(1):64-78. doi:10.1111/j.1557-9263.2009.00206.x
Celis-Murillo, A. and F. González-García. 2008. Bird songs of the Yucatan Peninsula Vol. 1 - Audio CD. Terrapin Records. NY. USA.
González-García. F. and A. Celis-Murillo. 2008. Bird songs of Veracruz - Audio CD. Instituto de Ecología A.C. Mexico
González-García. F., A. Salvadori., C. M. Francis., A. Celis-Murillo and M. Campbell. 2006. Introduction of the Bird Songs of Veracruz, Mexico. Interactive CD-ROM of the Bird Songs of Veracruz. Prepared for the V North American Ornithology Conference 2006 (NAOC V).
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.