I focus my research on answering big questions: Where are the birds? Where did they go? How do we keep them here? These publications trace that journey, from reconstructing the past to reimagining the future of conservation, and reflect my belief that science should inspire action, not just observation, and be open to all.
For an updated citation count, please check my Google Scholar page.
[38] Burgio, K.R., L.M. Cisneros, K.E. Davis, L.M. Dreiss, B.T. Klingbeil, S.J. Presley, M.R. Willig, and F.A. Montaño-Centellas. 2025. Historical biogeography and current ecology influence Andean bird communities along an elevational gradient. Ornithology. DOI: 10.1093/ornithology/ukaf068
[37] Leese, B.E., A.L. Bond, F.A. Montaño-Centellas, M.D. Starking, and K.R. Burgio. 2025. Additional records of the extinct Carolina Parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis). Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club. 145(4): 324-346. DOI: 10.25226/bboc.v145i4.2025.a1
[36] Burgio, K.R., C. B. van Rees, K. E. Block*, P. Pyle, M. A. Patten, M. F. Spreyer, and E. H. Bucher. 2025. Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus), version 1.1. In Birds of the World (P.G. Rodewald and S.M. Billerman, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. Retrieved from Birds of the World: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/monpar/1.1
[35] Collar, N., P. F. D. Boesman, and K.R. Burgio. 2025. Cliff Parakeet (Myiopsitta luchsi), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (S. M. Billerman, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. Retrieved from Birds of the World: https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/monpar2/1.0
[34] MacPherson, M.P., K.R. Burgio, M.G. DeSaix, B.G. Freeman, J. Herbert, R. Herman, V. Jirinec, J. Shonfield, D.L. Slager, C.B. van Rees, and J.E. Jankowski. 2025. An introduction to predictive distribution modeling for conservation to encourage novel perspectives. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation. 48: e-0001, DOI: 10.32800/abc.2025.48.0001
[33] Burgio, K.R., H. Higgins, A. Lubeck, M.D. Starking, T. Rice, H. Siart, K. Cruz*, E. Murley*, K. Terwilliger, and M.D. Staudinger. 2024. Biological Responses to Climate Impacts of the Northeast Regional Species of Greatest Conservation Need. In: DOI Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Cooperator Report. DOI:/10.21429/t352-9q86
[32] MacPherson, M.P., K.R. Burgio, M.G. DeSaix, B.G. Freeman, J. Herbert, R. Herman, V. Jirinec, J. Shonfield, D.L. Slager, C.B. van Rees, and J.E. Jankowski. In press. Predicting Bird Distributions Under Climate Change. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation. Preprint available: bioRxiv DOI: 10.1101/2021.05.26.445867
[31] Hess, R.A., O.A. Erickson, R.B. Cole, J.M. Isaacs, S. Alvarez-Clare, J. Arnold, A. Augustus-Wallace, J.C. Ayoob, A. Berkowitz, J. Branchaw, K.R. Burgio, et al. 2023. Virtually the same? Evaluating the effectiveness of remote undergraduate research experiences. Life Sciences Education. 22(2): DOI: 10.1187/cbe.22-01-0001
[30] Burgio, K.R., K.E. Davis, L.M. Dreiss, B.T. Klingbeil, L.M. Cisneros, S.J. Presley, C.B. van Rees, and M.R. Willig. 2022. Integrating multiple dimensions of biodiversity to inform global parrot diversity. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation. 45.2:189–202. DOI: 10.32800/ABC.2022.45.0189
[29] Capers, R., A. Oeldorf-Hirsch, R. Wyss, K.R. Burgio, and M.A. Rubega. 2022. What did they learn? Objective assessment tools show mixed effects of training on science communication behaviors. Frontiers in Communication. 6: DOI:10.3389/fcomm.2021.805630
[28] Erickson, O.A., R.B Cole, J.M. Isaacs, S. Alvarez-Clare, J. Arnold, A. Augustus-Wallace, J. Ayoob, A. Berkowitz, J. Branchaw, K.R. Burgio, et al. 2022.“How do we do this at a distance?!” A descriptive study of remote Research Experiences for Undergraduates sites during COVID-19. Life Sciences Education. 21(1): 1-16. DOI: 10.1187/cbe.21-05-0125
[27] Burgio, K.R., C.J. Carlson, A.L. Bond, M.A. Rubega, and M.W. Tingley. 2021. The two extinctions of the Carolina Parakeet (Conuropsis carolinensis). Bird Conservation International. 1-8. DOI:10.1017/S0959270921000241
[26] Burgio, K.R. 2021. Night Parrot: Australia’s Most Elusive Bird. Ornithological Applications. 123: 1-2. DOI:10.1093/ornithapp/duaa070
[25] Rubega, M.A., K.R. Burgio, R.S. Capers, A.A.M. MacDonald, A. Oeldorf-Hirsch, and R. Wyss. 2021. Assessment by audiences shows little effect of science communication training. Science Communication. 43(2):139-169. DOI:10.1177/1075547020971639
[24] Gravely, J.*, K.R. Burgio, and M.A. Rubega. 2020. A Method for Measuring the Thermal Insulation Value of Bird Feather Coats. Journal of Visualized Experiments. 160: e60981, DOI:10.3791/60981
[23] Burgio, K.R., C.M. MacKenzie, S.B. Borelle, S.K.M. Ernest, J.L. Gill, K.E. Ingeman, A. Teffer, and E.P. White. 2020. Ten Simple Rules for a Successful Remote Postdoc. PLoS Computational Biology. 16(5): e1007809. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007809
[22] Carlson, C.J., K.R. Burgio, T.A. Dallas, and W.M. Getz. 2019. The mathematics of extinction across scales: from populations to the biosphere. In: Kaper H., Roberts F. (eds) Mathematics of Planet Earth, vol 5. Springer, Cham. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-22044-0_9
[21] Kosman, E., K.R. Burgio, S.J. Presley, M.R. Willig, and S.M. Scheiner. 2019. Conservation prioritization based on trait-based metrics illustrated with global parrot distributions. Diversity and Distributions. 25: 1156–1165. DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12923
[20] Burgio, K.R., K.E. Davis, L.M. Dreiss, B.T. Klingbeil, L.M. Cisneros, S.J. Presley, and M.R. Willig. 2019. A complete phylogenetic supertree and trait database for all extant parrots. Data In Brief 24: 103882. DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2019.103882
[19] Bahlai, C. L.J. Bartlett, K.R. Burgio, A.M.V. Fournier, C.N. Keiser, T. Poisot, K. Stack Whitney. 2019. Open Science Isn’t Always Open to All Scientists. American Scientist 107: 78-83. DOI: 10.1511/2019.107.2.78
[18] Burgio, K.R. 2018. The mysterious and tragic story of America’s only native parrot, now extinct for 100 years. Washington Post (link)
[17] Bond, A.L., C.J. Carlson, and K.R. Burgio. 2018. Local extinction of insular avifauna on the most remote inhabited island in the world. Journal of Ornithology. DOI: 10.1007/s10336-018-1590-8
[16] Carlson, C.J., A.L. Bond, and K.R. Burgio. 2018. Re-evaluating sighting models, and moving beyond them, to test and contextualize the extinction of the thylacine. Conservation Biology. DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13187
[15] Burgio, K.R., C.J. Carlson, A.L. Bond. 2018. Georeferenced sighting and specimen occurrence data of the extinct Carolina Parakeet 1564 – 1944. Biodiversity Data Journal. 6: e25280. DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.6.e25280
[14] Carlson, C.J., A.L. Bond, and K.R. Burgio. 2018. Estimating the extinction date of the Thylacine accounting for unconfirmed sightings. Conservation Biology. 32: 477-483. DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13037
[13] Carlson, C.J, K.R. Burgio, E.R. Dougherty, A.J. Phillips, V.M. Bueno, C.F. Clements, G. Castaldo, T. Dallas, C.A. Cizauskas, G. Cumming, J. Doña, N.C. Harris, R. Jovani, S. Mironov, O. Muellerklein, H.C. Proctor, and W.M. Getz. Parasite biodiversity faces extinction and redistribution in a changing climate. Science Advances. 3(9): e1602422 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1602422
[12] Burgio, K.R., C.J. Carlson, and M.W. Tingley. 2017. Lazarus ecology: recovering the natural history of the extinct Carolina parakeet. Ecology & Evolution. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3135
[11] Cizauskas, C.A., C.J. Carlson, K.R. Burgio, C.F. Clements, N.C. Harris, E.R. Dougherty, and A.J. Phillips. 2017. Parasite vulnerability to climate change: an evidence-based functional trait approach. Royal Society Open Science. 4: 160535. DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160535
[10] Lopez, B.E., K.R. Burgio, M.B. Carlucci, K.A. Palmquist, A. Parada, V. Weinberger, and A.H. Hurlbert. 2016. A new framework for inferring community assembly processes using phylogenetic information, relevant traits, and environmental gradients. One Ecosystem. 1: e9501. DOI: 10.3897/oneeco.1.e9501
[9] Brightsmith, D., K.R. Burgio, B.J. Hiller, K.E. Block, P. Pyle, and M.A. Patten. 2017. Yellow-chevroned Parakeet (Brotogeris chiriri). Birds of North America Online (P. Rodewald ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/species/yecpar
[8] Brightsmith, D., K.R. Burgio, B.J. Hiller, K.E. Block, P. Pyle, and M.A. Patten. 2017. White-winged Parakeet (Brotogeris versicolorus). Birds of North America Online (P. Rodewald ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/species/whwpar
[7] Carlson, C.J., O.C. Mullerklein, A.J. Phillips, K.R. Burgio, G. Castaldo, C.A. Cizauskas, G. Cumming, T.A. Dallas, J. Dona, Z. Miao, H. Proctor, H.S. Yoon, and W.M. Getz. 2017. The Parasite Extinction Assessment Red List (PEARL): an extensible, open-source, online biodiversity database for neglected invertebrates. Preprint available
[6] Burgio, K.R., C.R. van Rees, K.E. Block, M. Spreyer, and E.H. Bucher. 2016. Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) in Birds of North America Online (P. Rodewald ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology. DOI: 10.2173/bna.322
[5] Dougherty, E.R., C.J. Carlson, V.M. Bueno, K.R. Burgio, C.A. Cizauskas, C.F. Clements, D.P. Seidel, and N.C. Harris. 2015. Paradigms for parasite conservation. Conservation Biology. DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12634
[4] Dreiss, L.M., K.R. Burgio, L.M. Cisneros, B.T. Klingbeil, B.D. Patterson, S.J. Presley, and M.R. Willig. 2015. Multiple dimensions of biodiversity for rodents along an extensive tropical elevational gradient: taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic perspectives. Ecography. 38: 876–888.
[3] Burgio, K.R., M.A. Rubega, and D. Sustaita. 2014. Nest-building behavior of Monk Parakeets and insights into potential mechanisms for reducing damage to utility poles. PeerJ. 2:e601 DOI:10.7717/peerj.601
[2] Cisneros, L.M., K.R. Burgio, L.M. Dreiss, B.T. Klingbeil, B.D. Patterson, S.J. Presley, and M.R. Willig. 2014. Elevational variation of multiple dimensions of biodiversity in bats. Journal of Animal Ecology. 83: 1124–1136.
[1] Carlson, C.J., C.A. Cizuaskas, K.R. Burgio, C.F. Clements, and N.C. Harris. 2013. The more parasites, the better? Science. 342:1041.
In Review
Starking, M.D., T.M. Rice, K. Terwilliger, D. Drummey, M. Frantz, C.D. Haffner, B. Hess, L. Holst, M. Marchand, and K.R. Burgio. In review. Northeast U.S. Regional Species of Greatest Conservation Need (RSGCN) as a Collaborative Approach to Regional Species Prioritization for Meaningful Conservation. Conservation Biology. Preprint available: bioRxiv 2025.01.03.631241. DOI: 2025.01.03.631241
Montaño-Centellas, F., C.B. van Rees, K.E. Block, R.L. White, M.A. Rubega, and K.R. Burgio. In revision. Do Invaders Conform to Biogeographic “Rules”? Testing Allen’s, Bergmann’s, and Gloger’s Rules in Monk Parakeets. Current Zoology. Preprint available: Authorea DOI: 10.22541/au.169929398.85254889/v1
Smith-Vidaurre, G., A. Boloqui, F.A. Montaño-Centellas, C.B. van Rees, R.L. White, J. Eberhard, and K.R. Burgio. In review. Observations of coprophagy by Monk Parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) may shed light on their range expansion in native and naturalized populations. Biotropica.
Government Reports / White Papers
Staudinger, M.D., A.V. Karmalkar, K. Terwilliger, K.R. Burgio, A. Lubeck, H. Higgins, T. Rice, T.L. Morelli, A. D’Amato. 2024. A Regional Synthesis of Climate Data to Inform the 2025 State Wildlife Action Plans in the Northeast United States. DOI Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Cooperator Report. 406 p. https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/62866381d34e3bef0c9a813c
Lubeck, A., H. Higgins, K. Terwilliger, K.R. Burgio, L. Thurman, T. Rice, A. D’Amato, T. Morelli, P. Armsworth, and M.D. Staudinger. 2024. Vulnerability of Northeastern U.S. Species of Greatest Conservation Need to Climate Change. In: DOI Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Cooperator Report.
Lubeck, A., K.R. Burgio, A. D’Amato, S. Handler, H. Higgins, T.L. Morelli, K. Terwilliger, T. Rice, L. Thurman, and M.D. Staudinger. 2024. Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Resources in the Northeast United States. In: DOI Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Cooperator Report.
Higgins, H. A. Lubeck, K.R. Burgio, T. Rice, A. D’Amato, T.L. Morelli, K. Terwilliger, and M.D. Staudinger. 2024. Climate Adaptation Case Studies. In: DOI Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Cooperator Report.
Preprints
Carlson, C.J., K.R. Burgio, T.A. Dallas, and A.L. Bond. 2018. Spatial extinction date estimation: a novel method for reconstructing spatiotemporal patterns of extinction and identifying potential zones of rediscovery. bioRxiv 279679. DOI: 10.1101/279679
Carlson, C.J., O.C. Mullerklein, A.J. Phillips, K.R. Burgio, G. Castaldo, C.A. Cizauskas, G. Cumming, T.A. Dallas, J. Dona, Z. Miao, H. Proctor, H.S. Yoon, and W.M. Getz. 2017. The Parasite Extinction Assessment Red List (PEARL): an extensible, open-source, online biodiversity database for neglected invertebrates. bioRxiv 192351. DOI: 10.1101/192351
Active manuscripts in preparation (analyses completed and writing started)
Gravely, J.*, K.R. Burgio, and M.A. Rubega. In revision. Seasonal Plumage Condition Variation and the Thermal Value of the Feather Coats of House Sparrows (Passer domesticus).
Snyderman, L.S.*, K.R. Burgio, A. Spiess, O.L. Olson, S. Turvey, and A.M. Mychajliw. Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Quaternary Range Collapse of the Great Auk (Pinguinus impennis): New Insights from the Gulf of Maine. To be submitted to Biology Letters.
Bond, A.L., K.R. Burgio, D. Watling, and A.L. Berryman. Specimens, sight records, and extinction probability of the Red-throated Lorikeet (Vini amabilis). To be submitted to Bird Conservation International.
Chang, H., K.R. Burgio, T. Rice, and M.D. Staudinger. Climate impacts on the American Lobster (Homarus americanus) in Northeast U.S. waters.
Patents
Burgio, K.R. and M.A. Rubega. 2013. Monk Parakeet Utility Pole Exclusion Device. Provisional Patent # 61/842,608. USA. Filed: 7/3/2013.
R Packages
Burnett, J. and K.R. Burgio. 2021. `parrottraits`: an R package for interfacing with the Parrot Traits Database (url)
Kevin R. Burgio 