Abstract . – This field survey was carried out to understand whether the organization of waterbird communities differed between both wetland types such as natural and artificial ones. We counted yearly from 2001/2002 to 2010/2013 in Northern Tunisia all wintering species occurred at 28 natural sites and 20 artificial ones. For each waterbird group we considered the mean values of four ecological parameters such as species richness, abundance, density and Shannon diversity. Our results clearly showed that waterbirds globally preferred natural sites. Indeed, from a mean of about 200.500 birds per year and a total of 95 species, of about 183.000 birds per year and 94 species were counted at natural wetlands. Thirty five species exclusively used natural wetlands, whereas only one species used exclusively artificial ones. Shannon diversity and species richness values of different waterbird groups were significantly higher in natural wetlands. Based on densities, mean values calculated for ducks and coots, and diving birds were significantly higher in artificial wetlands, whereas, for shorebirds and gulls, and herons mean values were significantly higher in natural wetlands. Globally, wetland variables determining the distribution of waterbird groups differed within both wetland types. In Fact, the MultipleRegression Analysis identified surface area as an important independent variable that controlled positively mean densities of ducks and coots, and diving birds within natural wetlands and controlled negatively their mean densities within artificial ones. Our results were rather striking for Northern Tunisia and they may not be applicable to other regions where there are available differences in surface areas. This field survey is of fundamental biological interest and is essential to the development of a conservation program and future researches.