Hurricanes not only affect the vegetation in forest stands, they also directly and/or indirectly impact animal species, such as terrestrial bird populations. A direct impact of hurricanes on bird population (and other animals) is mortality caused by exposure to high winds and/or rain, however, most of the impacts are indirect. For example, defoliation and removal of vegetation can limit the food supply (Wunderle et al. 1992). This is especially important for frugivoruous and nectivorous birds. The rare Puerto Rican parrot not only suffered high mortality from Hurricane Hugo, but experienced food shortages because much of the fruit the bird eats was removed (Boucher 1990). Also, the vertical structure and foliage profiles can be drastically changed and thus, disrupt the foraging normally associated with different vertical layers (Wunderle et al. 1992). Bird densities in a region can also increase dramatically because of their site fidelity and reluctance to move into new areas even after a hurricane has destroyed much of their habitat (Wunderle et al. 1992). Hurricane Hugo damaged 90% of the red-cockaded woodpecker's habitat (large pine trees) in South Carolina, and wildlife biologists were forced to try and provide new nest sites by drilling large holes in live trees and installing nest boxes to increase the area of suitable habitat (Boucher 1990). Thus, hurricanes can contribute to the population declines of certain species in a region, favor the survival of species able to migrate to new habitats, and reduce the species richness of birds found within an area heavily damaged by a hurricane (Wunderle et al. 1992).