From May 2000 to November 2003, an investigation was made on the avian diversity at seven sites on the mangrove wetland of Leizhou Peninsula. A total of 133 species was recorded. The individuals of water birds and migratory birds accounted for 81.7% and 70.4% of the total, respectively. Among the species recorded, nine species were listed in the China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals, two
... [Show full abstract] species were listed as vulnerable by IUCN, sixteen species were listed by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), twelve species were Chinese National Key Protected species, sixty-three species were listed in the China and Japan Agreement on Conservation of Migratory Birds, and thirty-two species were listed in the China and Australia Agreement on Conservation of Migratory Birds. The species number of the avian at the seven sites had a greater difference, with the greatest (83) at site Gaoqiao and the least (40) at site Wuli, and the Jaccard' s species similarity among the seven sites was very low. The population amounts of Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexan&inus), Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata) and Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) in the Peninsula satisfied the criterion for internationally important wetlands. The numbers of species and individuals were greater in winter than in summer, and there was a significant difference in total avian abundance (P = 0.043) and water bird abundance (P = 0.001) between these two seasons. For the conservation of avian diversity on the mangrove wetland in Leizhou Peninsula, it's necessary to protect the whole coastline mangrove wetland in the Peninsula.