From February to December,2016,the waterfowl communities at 5 types of habitat including herbaceous marsh,lakeshore wetland,estuarine wetland,freshwater lake,and cultivated land were investigated in different seasons around Qinghai Lake National Mature Reserve.53 species belonging to 6 orders and 13 families were accumulatively recorded during the period of investigation.The dominant species were respectively Phalacrocorax carbo, Anser indicus,Larus ichthyaetus,Aythya fuligula,Netta rufina,Anas strepera,Aythya ferina,and Anas crecca,whose numbers occupied 74.16% of total individuals of waterfowl.The characteristics of waterfowl community were studied based on the Shannon-Wiener index (H),Simpson index (C) and Pielou index (E).The results indicated that the H index and E index of waterfowl community were the highest in herbaceous marsh,and decreased from lakeshore wetland,estuarine wetland,freshwater lake to cultivated land;the H index and E index of waterfowl community were the highest in the migration period of spring,and decreased from migration period of autumn,breeding period of summer to winter.The knowledge obtained in this study will help us to further understand the composition and seasonal variation of bird community,and provide the basis for managing and protecting birds in Qinghai Lake National Nature Reserve.