Waterbirds respond sensitivly to the nutrient change of wetlands in a species-specific or community way, which can provide early warning for changes that could negatively affect ecosystems. We studied the relationship between waterbird density and water quality index among 17 lakeshore sections in Lake Erhai, a large freshwater lake. We counted individual numbers of Little Grebe (Podiceps ruficollis), Common Coot (Fulica atra), Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) and collected water samples synchronously in February 2015. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the population densities of both Common Coot and Little Grebe were significantly correlated to the total nitrogen concentration and the total phosphorus concentration. While the population density of Common Moorhen was not correlated to either the total nitrogen concentration or the total phosphorus concentration. The results suggested that waterbirds could respond to nutrient changes in littoral zone of Lake Erhai in a species-specific way, and a thorough knowledge of the ecology of a given species is required to properly choose a waterbird bio-indicator species. Further studies in more lakes or reservoirs could justify the bio-indicator role of Common Coot and Little Grebe at larger temporal and spatial scales.