Professor, Conservation Biology
Assistant Leader, USGS MS Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Phone: 662-325-0784 Email: fvilella@usgs.gov
2022
Martinez-Lanfranco, J. A., F. J. Vilella, D. A. Miller. 2022. Avian community response to a novel environment: Commercial forestry in the Campos grasslands of South America. Forest Ecology and Management 503:119765.
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2021
Ramirez-Reyes C., G. Street, F.J. Vilella, D.T. Jones-Farrand, M.S. Wiggers, K.O. Evans. 2021. Ensemble species distribution model identifies survey opportunities for at-risk bearded beaksedge (Rhynchospora crinipes) in the southeastern United States. Natural Areas Journal 41(1):55-63.
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2020
Vilella, F. J., J. A. Cruz-Burgos, R. M. Kaminski, H. R. Murkin, J. B. Davis, S. L. Weitzel, F. Vizcarra. 2020. Avian community responses to management of vegetation and water levels in restored wetlands at the Humacao Nature Reserve, Puerto Rico. Caribbean Naturalist 72.
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2019
Gallardo, J. C., F. J. Vilella, M. E. Colvin. 2019. A seasonal population matrix model of the Caribbean red-tailed hawk Buteo jamaicensis jamaicensis in eastern Puerto Rico. International Journal of Avian Science.
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2019
Palumbo, M. D., F. J. Vilella, G. Wang, B. K. Strickland, D. Godwin, P. G. Dixon, B. D. Rubin, M. A. Lashley. 2019. Latitude and daily-weather effects on gobbling activity of wild turkeys in Mississippi. International Journal of Biometereology 63:1059-1067.
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2018
Calamari, N. C., F. J. Vilella, Y. V. Sica, P. A. Mercuri. 2018. Patch and landscape responses of bird abundance to fragmentation in agroecosystems of east-central Argentina. Avian Conservation and Ecology 13(2):3.
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2018
Loman, Z. G., A. P. Monroe, S. K. Riffell, D. A. Miller, F. J. Vilella, B. E. Wheat, S. A. Rush, J. A. Martin. 2018. Nest survival modeling using a multi-species approach in forests managed for timber and biofuel feedstock. Journal of Applied Ecology 55(2):937-946.
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2018
Strickland, B.A., F.J. Vilella, R. Flynt. 2018. Long-term spotlight surveys of American alligators in Mississippi, USA. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 13(2):331-340.
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2018
Vilella, F. J. 2018. Wildlife Policy and Law in South America. Pages 519-533 in Leopold, B.D., W.B. Kessler and J.L. Cummins (eds.). North American Wildlife Policy and Law. Boone and Crockett Club.
2017
Davis, J.B., F.J. Vilella, J.D. Lancaster, M. López-Flores, R.M. Kaminski, J.A. Cruz-Burgos. 2017. Survival of White-cheeked Pintail ducklings and broods in Puerto Rico. The Condor 119(2):308-320.
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2017
Gallardo, J. C., F. J. Vilella. 2017. Conservation status assessment of the Sharp-shinned Hawk, an endangered insular raptor in Puerto Rico. Journal of Field Ornithology 88(4):349-361.
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2016
Palumbo, M.D., J.P. Fleming, O.A. Monsegur, F.J. Vilella. 2016. A GIS model of habitat suitability for Solanum conocarpum (Solanaceae) in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Caribbean Naturalist 36:1-10.
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2016
Strickland, BA., F.J. Vilella, J.L. Belant. 2016. Scale-dependent habitat selection and size-based dominance in adult male American alligators. PLoS ONE 11(9): e0161814.
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2015
Feaga, J.S., F.J. Vilella, R.M. Kaminski, J.B. Davis. 2015. Waterbird use of catfish ponds and Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative wetlands in Mississippi. Waterbirds 38(3):269-281.
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2014
Blair, T., J. Castell, S. Neil, L. D’Abramo, C. Cahu, P. Harmon, and K. Ogunmoye. 2003. Evaluation of microdiets versus live feed on growth, survival and fatty acid composition of larval haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus), Proceeding of the 10th International Symposium on Nutrition and Feeding in Fish (Feed Quality). Aquaculture 225:451-461
2014
Davis, J.B., E. Webb, R.M. Kaminski, P.J. Barbour, F.J. Vilella. 2014. Comprehensive framework for ecological assessment of the Migratory Bird Habitat Initiative following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Southeastern Naturalist 13(4):G66-G81.
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2014
Gallardo, J. C., F. J. Vilella. 2014. The Puerto Rican Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus vennator): an endangered insular species on the edge. Spizaetus: Neotropical Raptor Network Newsletter 17:2-13.
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2014
Loman, Z.G., S.K. Riffell, B.R. Wheat, D.A. Miller, J.A. Martin, F.J. Vilella. 2014. Bird community response to establishing intercropped switchgrass in intensively-managed pine stands. Biomass and Bioenergy 67:201-211.
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2014
Lopez-Flores, M., J.B. Davis, F.J. Vilella, R.M. Kaminski, J.A. Cruz-Burgos, J.D. Lancaster. 2014. Survival of female white-cheeked pintails during brood rearing in Puerto Rico. Caribbean Naturalist 10:1-12.
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2014
Palumbo, M.D., F.J. Vilella, G. Wang, B. Strickland, D. Godwin. 2014. Brood surveys and hunter observations used to predict gobbling activity of wild turkey in Mississippi. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 5(1):151-156.
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2014
Wood, D.R., L.W. Burger, F.J. Vilella. 2014. Red-cockaded woodpecker Picoides borealis microhabitat characteristics and reproductive success in a loblolly-shortleaf pine forest. The Open Ornithology Journal 7: 49-54.
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2013
Bennett, J.M., F.J. Vilella. 2013. Mourning dove survival from band recoveries in Northern Mississippi. Proceedings of the 2012 Annual Conference of Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 66:102-106.
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2013
Loman, Z. G. , S. K. Riffell, D. A. Miller, J. A. Martin and F. J. Villela. 2013. Site preparation for switchgrass intercropping in loblolly pine plantations reduces retained trees and snags, but maintains downed woody debris. Forestry 86: 353-360.
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2012
Mitchell, K.L., S.K. Riffell, L.W. Burger, F.J. Vilella. 2012. Provisioning of nestling Dickcissels in native warm-season grass field buffers. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 124:298-309.
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2012
Vilella, F.J., W.F. Nimitz. 2012. Spatial dynamics of the Red-tailed Hawk in the Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 124:758-766.
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2011
Vilella, F.J., J.A. Cruz, M. López. 2011. Nesting ecology of the Yellow-breasted Crake (Porzana flaviventer) in Puerto Rico. Waterbirds 34(3): 363-368.
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2010
Vilella, F.J. 2010. Puerto Rican Nightjar (Caprimulgus noctitherus), Neotropical Birds Online (T. S. Schulenberg, editor). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
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2010
Vilella, F.J., G.A. Baldassarre. 2010. Abundance and distribution of waterbirds in the Llanos of Venezuela. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 122(1):102-115.
2009
Llerandi-Román, I., J.M. Rios-Cruz, F.J. Vilella. 2009 Cliff nesting by the red-tailed hawk in moist karst forests of northern Puerto Rico. Journal of Raptor Research 43(2):167-169.
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2008
Calamari, N.C., F.J. Vilella, P. Mercuri, M.E. Zaccagnini. 2008. Fragmentación del bosque nativo entrerriano y su influencia sobre las aves: desafíos para la conservación y una agricultura sustentable en Argentina. Páginas 68-75 en Caviglia O.P., Sasal M.C., Wilson M. G. y O. F. Paparotti (Eds). Agricultura Sustentable en Entre Ríos. INTA, 92pp.
2008
Vilella, F.J. 2008. Nest habitat use of the Puerto Rican Nightjar Caprimulgus noctitherus in Guanica Biosphere Reserve. Bird Conservation International 18(4):1-11.
2008
Wood, D.R., F.J. Vilella, L.W. Burger Jr. 2008. Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) home range dynamics and macrohabitat selection in a loblolly-shortleaf pine forest. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 120(4):793-800.
2008
Wood, D.R., F.J. Vilella, L.W. Burger Jr. 2008. Red-cockaded woodpecker reproduction, nest loss, and cavity kleptoparasitism in a Mississippi loblolly-shortleaf pine ecosystem. The Mississippi Kite 34(2):34-52.
2007
Elmore, R., F. Vilella, P. Gerard. 2007. Landscape correlates along mourning dove call-count routes in Mississippi. Journal of Wildlife Management 71(2):422-427.
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2007
Vilella, F.J. 2007. Ecography of the Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis jamaicensis) in Puerto Rico. Pages 122-133 in Bildstein, K. L., D. R. Barbier, et al. (eds.). Neotropical Raptors. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Raptor Conservation Science Series No. 1. Orwisburg, Pennsylvania, USA.
2006
Vest, J., R.M. Kaminski, A. Afton, F.J. Vilella. 2006. Body mass of lesser scaup during fall and winter in the Mississippi Flyway. Journal of Wildlife Management 70(6):1789-1795.
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2006
Vilella, F.J., D.W. Hengstenberg. 2006. Broad-winged Hawk movements and habitat use in a moist limestone forest of Puerto Rico. Ornitología Neotropical 17:563-579.
2005
Elmore, L.W., D.A. Miller, F.J. Vilella. 2005. Foraging area size and habitat use of red bats (Lasiurus borealis) in an intensively managed pine forest in Mississippi. American Midland Naturalist 153:405-417.
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2005
Hengstenberg, D.H., F.J. Vilella. 2005. Nesting ecology and behavior of Broad-winged Hawks in moist karst forests of Puerto Rico. Journal of Raptor Research 39(4):396-408.
2005
Jensen, W.J., M.S. Gregory, G.A. Baldassarre, F.J. Vilella, K.L. Bildstein. 2005. Raptor abundance and distribution in the Llanos wetlands of Venezuela. Journal of Raptor Research 39(4):409-420.
2005
Vilella, F.J., J.H. Fogarty. 2005. Diversity and abundance of forest frogs (Anura: Leptodactilydae) before and after Hurricane Georges in the Cordillera Central of Puerto Rico. Caribbean Journal of Science 41(1):157-162.
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2005
White, Jr., T.H., J.A. Collazo, F.J. Vilella, S.A. Guerrero. 2005. Effects of Hurricane Georges on habitat use by captive-reared Hispaniolan Parrots Amazona ventralis released in the Dominican Republic. Ornitología Neotropical 16:405-418.
2005
White, Jr., T.H., J.A. Collazo, F.J. Vilella. 2005. Survival of captive-reared Puerto Rican Parrots released in the Caribbean National Forest. The Condor 107:424-432.
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2005
Wood, D.R., L.W. Burger, Jr., F.J. Vilella. 2005. Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) behavioral patterns in a Mississippi loblolly-shortleaf pine forest. Journal of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences 50(3):168-176.
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2004
Bowman, J.L., B.D. Leopold, F.J. Vilella, D.A. Gill. 2004. A spatially explicit model, derived from demographic variables, to predict attitudes toward black bear restoration. Journal of Wildlife Management 68:223-232.
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2004
Elmore, L.W., D.A. Miller, F.J. Vilella. 2004. Selection of diurnal roosts by red bats (Lasiurus borealis) in an intensively managed pine forest in Mississippi. Forest Ecology and Management 199(1):11-20.
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2004
White, Jr., T.H., F.J. Vilella. 2004. Nest management for the Puerto Rican Parrot: Gaining the technological edge. Ornitología Neotropical 15:467-476.
2003
Collazo, J.A., T.H. White, F.J. Vilella, S.A. Guerrero. 2003. Survival of captive-reared Hispaniolan Parrots released in Parque Nacional del Este, Dominican Republic. The Condor 105(2):198-207
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2003
Fogarty, J.H., F.J. Vilella. 2003. Use of eucalyptus plantations and native forest by Eleutherodactylus frogs. Journal of Wildlife Management 67(1):187-196.
2003
López-Flores, M., J. A. Cruz-Burgos, F.J. Vilella. 2003. Predation of a White-cheeked Pintail (Anas bahamensis) duckling by a bullfrog (Rana catesbiana). Caribbean Journal of Science 39(2):240-242.
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2003
Wood, D.R., F.J. Vilella, L.W. Burger, Jr., J.W. Armacost. 2003. Surveying nocturnal bird communities of the Southeast with silent and playback methods. Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 55:528-533. Download
2002
Fogarty, J.H., F.J. Vilella. 2002. Population dynamics of Eleutherodactylus coqui in cordillera forest reserves of Puerto Rico. Journal of Herpetology 36(2):193-201.
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2001
Bowman, J.L, B.D. Leopold, F.J. Vilella, D.A. Gill, H.A. Jacobson. 2001. Attitudes of landowners toward black bears compared between areas of high and low bear populations. Ursus 12:153-160.
2001
Bowman, J.L., D.R. Wood, F.J. Vilella, B.D. Leopold, L.W. Burger, Jr., K.D. Godwin. 2001. Effect of Red-cockaded woodpecker management on vegetation composition and structure and subsequent impacts on game species. Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 53:220-234.
2001
Fogarty, J.H., F.J. Vilella. 2001. Evaluating methodologies to survey Eleutherodactylus frogs in montane forests of Puerto Rico. Wildlife Society Bulletin 29(3):948-955.
2001
Vilella, F.J. 2001. Caribbean islands look to the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture. Birdscapes/Winter 2001:28-29.
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2001
Wood, D.R., F.J. Vilella, L.W. Burger, Jr. 2001. Red-cockaded Woodpecker Banding at Bienville National Forest, Mississippi. North American Bird Bander 26:16-19.
2001
Wright, T. F., C. A. Toft, M. Albornoz, S. Beissinger, V. Berovides, A. T. Brice, J. Eberhard, E. Enkerlin, X. Gálvez, J. Gilardi, J. González, S. E. Koenig, P. Martuscelli, J. M. Meyers, K. Renton, A. M. Rodríguez, F. Rojas, V. Sanz, M. Sosa, S. Stoleson, A. Trujillo, F. J. Vilella, J. W. Wiley. 2001. Nest poaching in Neotropical parrots. Conservation Biology 15(3):710-720.
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2000
Bowman, J.L., B.D. Leopold, F.J. Vilella. 2000. How bearable is Mississippi? Fair Chase 15(1):34-39.
2000
Bowman, J.L., B.D. Leopold, H.A. Jacobson, F.J. Vilella. 2000. Proceedings of the 14th Eastern Black Bear Workshop. April 13-16, 1997. Vicksburg, MS. (Abstract published).
2000
Vilella, F.J., R.B. Minnis. 2000. On vertebrate generations and plant succession: incorporating vegetation structural attributes into vertebrate modeling. GAP Analysis Bulletin 8:25-28.
2000
White, Jr., T.H., J.A. Collazo, F.J. Vilella, S.A. Guerrero. 2000. Experimental releases of Hispaniolan Parrots in the Dominican Republic: implications for Puerto Rican parrot recovery. IUCN Re-introduction News 19:18-19.
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2000
White, Jr., T.H., J.L. Bowman, B.D. Leopold, H.A. Jacobson, W.P. Smith, F.J. Vilella. 2000. Influence of MS Alluvial Valley rivers on black bear movements and dispersal: implications for LA black bear recovery. Journal of the Society for Conservation Biology 95(3):323-331.
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2000
Wood, D.R., L.W. Burger, Jr., F.J. Vilella, B.E. Raulston. 2000. Long-term effects of red-cockaded woodpecker cavity entrance restrictors: a follow-up study of Raulston et al. (1996). Wildlife Society Bulletin 28:105-109
