Abstract: In order to know status quo of waterfowl resource in Erhai lake, investigation of waterfowl resource was carried out from March, 2021 to February, 2022. Results showed 67 species of waterfowl belonging to 13 families and 9 orders were recorded, there were
40 kinds of Palaearctic species, 17 kinds of Widespread species and 10 kinds of Oriental species. Winter migratory birds accounted for 59.70%, resident birds accounted for 13.43%, transit birds accounted for 13.43%, summer migratory birds accounted for 11.94% and straggler birds accounted for 1.50%. The highest recorded number of waterfowl in the entire lake was over 86 000, including approximately 64 000 Fulica atra. More species and quantity in the south, west and north of Erhai lake were recorded, but those of that were less recorded in the east of Erhai lake. 3 species of national Class I protected birds and 7 species of national Class Ⅱ protected birds were recorded. The diversity of waterfowl in Erhai lake was steadily changing for the better.

Key words: Erhai lake, waterfowl diversity, dominant species, ecological function of waterfowl, conservation suggestions