A study of the bird composition and distribution patterns was conducted in Mao'ershan region, South China's highest peak, Northeastern Guangxi. Total of 268 bird species representing 51 families and 16 orders were recorded, including 130 residents, 51 summer migrant, 15 winter migrant and 72 passing birds. Based on elevation and vegetation, 7 types of habitat were categorized in this study. The most richness of bird species (156) was occurred farmland in lowland <300 m. The bird species decrease as the elevation increase, 76 species in artificial bamboo (Phyllostachys heterocycla) and fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) forest at elevation 300-600 m, 68 and 64 species in evergreen broadleaf forest (600-1 200 m) and evergreen and deciduous broadleaved mixed forest (1 200-1 700 m) in mid-altitudinal belt, 50 in mixed forest of deciduous broadleaved and conifer tress (1 700-2 000 m), 65 species in high elevation region (>2 000 m). G-F index decrease with the increase of altitude and reaches the minimum in the peak of mountain. Of 181 breeding birds, 149 Oriental birds, 15 Palearctic birds and 17 widely distributed birds, inhabit different altitudinal gradient. The proportion of Oriental birds decreases and Palearctic birds increases with altitude increase. The vertical distribution pattern of bird is determined by several ecological factors in the study area.