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
North American Bird Banding Program Dataset 1960-2023 retrieved 2023-07-12
The North American Bird Banding Program is administered through the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL), Eastern Ecological Science Center at the Patuxent Research Refuge (EESC) and the Bird Banding Office (BBO), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). The respective banding offices have similar functions and policies and use the same bands, reporting forms and data f
North American Bird Banding Program Dataset 1960-2022 retrieved 2022-07-14
The North American Bird Banding Program is directed in the United States by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL), Eastern Ecological Science Center at the Patuxent Research Refuge (EESC) and in Canada by the Bird Banding Office (BBO), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). The respective banding offices have similar functions and policies and use the same bands, r
North American Bird Banding Program Dataset 1960-2021 retrieved 2021-07-25
The North American Bird Banding Program is directed in the United States by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL), Eastern Ecological Science Center at the Patuxent Research Refuge (EESC) and in Canada by the Bird Banding Office (BBO), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). The respective banding offices have similar functions and policies and use the same bands, r
North American Bird Banding Program Dataset 1960-2020 retrieved 2020-06-26
The North American Bird Banding Program is directed in the United States by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL), Eastern Ecological Science Center at the Patuxent Research Refuge (EESC) and in Canada by the Bird Banding Office (BBO), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). The respective banding offices have similar functions and policies and use the same bands, r
Full-service hotels, convenience stores, or fire escapes? Evaluating the functional role of stopover sites for Neotropical migrants following passage across the Gulf of Mexico in autumn
Nearctic Neotropical migratory songbirds incur the highest mortality during migration. En-route, songbirds rely on a network of stopover sites to rest, refuel, and/or seek refuge during poor weather. Conservation strategies prioritize protection of sites that best meet these needs. However, the specific function of a stopover site is expected to vary in relation to factors, such as geographic loca
Authors
Lauren E. Solomon, Antonio Celis-Murillo, Michael P. Ward, Jill L. Deppe
Note to Banders, December 2022
Note to All Banders was a special extra communication with more urgent information relevant to banders. This Note to All Banders was sent to U.S. bird banders on December 20, 2022. This note includes holiday greetings and a review of the 2022 successes at the Bird Banding Laboratory. Throughout 2022, the BBL increased communication, engagement, and collaboration, within the Eastern Ecological Scie
Authors
Antonio Celis-Murillo
The humane capture, handling, and disposition of migratory birds
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance on the humane capture, handling, and care of migratory birds trapped for any purpose. It is intended for wildlife managers, regulatory personnel, and individuals that handle or authorize handling of live-captured migratory birds. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Migratory Bird Program (USFWS), the U.S. Geological Survey Bird Banding Laborato
Authors
Jennifer Miller, Jason Suckow, Antonio Celis-Murillo, Brian Washburn, Brian Milsap, Margaret Pepper, Arthur McCollum, Michael Biegier
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 avian migr
Authors
Timothy Meehan, Sarah P. Saunders, William DeLuca, Nicole L Michel, Joanna Grand, JIll Deppe, MIguel JImenez, Erika Knight, Nathaniel E. Seavy, Melanie A. Smith, Lotem Taylor, Chad Witko, Michael Akresh, David S. Barber, David Bayne, James Beasley, Jerrold L. Belant, Richard O Bierregaard Jr., 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 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 Rhodes Jr., 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 the Gulf o
Authors
Richard E 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 reaching their de
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 apparent
Authors
Michael P. Ward, Thomas J. Benson, JIll Deppe, Theodore J. Zenzal, Robert H. Diehl, Antonio Celis-Murillo, Rachel T Bolus, Frank R. Moore
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 expressed inter
Authors
A. 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
- Data
North American Bird Banding Program Dataset 1960-2023 retrieved 2023-07-12
The North American Bird Banding Program is administered through the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL), Eastern Ecological Science Center at the Patuxent Research Refuge (EESC) and the Bird Banding Office (BBO), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). The respective banding offices have similar functions and policies and use the same bands, reporting forms and data fNorth American Bird Banding Program Dataset 1960-2022 retrieved 2022-07-14
The North American Bird Banding Program is directed in the United States by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL), Eastern Ecological Science Center at the Patuxent Research Refuge (EESC) and in Canada by the Bird Banding Office (BBO), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). The respective banding offices have similar functions and policies and use the same bands, rNorth American Bird Banding Program Dataset 1960-2021 retrieved 2021-07-25
The North American Bird Banding Program is directed in the United States by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL), Eastern Ecological Science Center at the Patuxent Research Refuge (EESC) and in Canada by the Bird Banding Office (BBO), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). The respective banding offices have similar functions and policies and use the same bands, rNorth American Bird Banding Program Dataset 1960-2020 retrieved 2020-06-26
The North American Bird Banding Program is directed in the United States by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL), Eastern Ecological Science Center at the Patuxent Research Refuge (EESC) and in Canada by the Bird Banding Office (BBO), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). The respective banding offices have similar functions and policies and use the same bands, r - Multimedia
- Publications
Full-service hotels, convenience stores, or fire escapes? Evaluating the functional role of stopover sites for Neotropical migrants following passage across the Gulf of Mexico in autumn
Nearctic Neotropical migratory songbirds incur the highest mortality during migration. En-route, songbirds rely on a network of stopover sites to rest, refuel, and/or seek refuge during poor weather. Conservation strategies prioritize protection of sites that best meet these needs. However, the specific function of a stopover site is expected to vary in relation to factors, such as geographic locaAuthorsLauren E. Solomon, Antonio Celis-Murillo, Michael P. Ward, Jill L. DeppeNote to Banders, December 2022
Note to All Banders was a special extra communication with more urgent information relevant to banders. This Note to All Banders was sent to U.S. bird banders on December 20, 2022. This note includes holiday greetings and a review of the 2022 successes at the Bird Banding Laboratory. Throughout 2022, the BBL increased communication, engagement, and collaboration, within the Eastern Ecological ScieAuthorsAntonio Celis-MurilloThe humane capture, handling, and disposition of migratory birds
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance on the humane capture, handling, and care of migratory birds trapped for any purpose. It is intended for wildlife managers, regulatory personnel, and individuals that handle or authorize handling of live-captured migratory birds. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Migratory Bird Program (USFWS), the U.S. Geological Survey Bird Banding LaboratoAuthorsJennifer Miller, Jason Suckow, Antonio Celis-Murillo, Brian Washburn, Brian Milsap, Margaret Pepper, Arthur McCollum, Michael BiegierIntegrating 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 avian migrAuthorsTimothy Meehan, Sarah P. Saunders, William DeLuca, Nicole L Michel, Joanna Grand, JIll Deppe, MIguel JImenez, Erika Knight, Nathaniel E. Seavy, Melanie A. Smith, Lotem Taylor, Chad Witko, Michael Akresh, David S. Barber, David Bayne, James Beasley, Jerrold L. Belant, Richard O Bierregaard Jr., 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 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 Rhodes Jr., Christopher C. Rimmer, Amy L. Scarpignato, Adam Shreading, Jesse Watson, Chad WilseyLocal 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 the Gulf oAuthorsRichard E Feldman, Antonio Celis-Murillo, Jill L. Deppe, Alfredo Dorantes-EuanRetreat, 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 reaching their deAuthorsTheodore 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. MooreEstimating 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 apparentAuthorsMichael P. Ward, Thomas J. Benson, JIll Deppe, Theodore J. Zenzal, Robert H. Diehl, Antonio Celis-Murillo, Rachel T Bolus, Frank R. MooreWorkshop: 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 expressed interAuthorsA. Celis-MurilloNon-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- 2664.13229Celis-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/s00265-017-2273-9Suarez-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.2017.10.029Celis-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.2016.04.023Healy, 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-yDeppe, 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.1503381112Deppe, 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: 10.1080/09524622.2015.1076348Celis-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.xUrbina-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.2012.4.1024MacKinnon 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.xCelis-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. MexicoGonzález-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.
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