The effects of mountain pine beetle outbreaks on avian communities in lodgepole pine forests across the greater Rocky Mountain region

•Avian richness changes little after beetle outbreaks in lodgepole pine forests.•Species richness does not fully describe avian community change after outbreaks.•Cavity nesting birds became more common following beetle outbreaks.•Shrub nesting species had consistently lower occurrence rates following outbreaks.•Consider snag density and slash retainment in post-outbreak management of forests.