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In recent years, due to rapid economic development, the Bohai Rim has become a focus of attention. The area has abundant waterbird resources, however, the coastal wetlands in the Bohai Rim are currently under serious threat and waterbird conservation needs to be addressed urgently. Exploring the changes and main driving factors of waterbirds and conducting habitat suitability assessments for waterbirds are of great significance to regional ecology and environmental protection efforts. In this study, during the period of 2002–2021, we recorded the waterbird numbers and species in the Bohai Rim region of China. Then, we quantified the potential suitable habitats and analyzed the driving factors for waterbirds using the MaxEnt model. The results showed that the waterbird richness around the Bohai Rim increased gradually over a 20-year period, and more waterbird species were detected in wetland habitats than in other habitats. Five waterbird hotspot regions require special attention, including the Yellow River Delta Nature Reserve, Beidagang Wetland, Beidaihe National Wetland Park, Liaohe Estuary wetland and Caofeidian Wetland Park. The main driving factors of waterbird changes are the NDVI, land cover and maximum temperature in the warmest month. This study provides a reference and theoretical support for waterbird conservation and rational habitat use.