Stable isotopes as natural markers are important tools to study avian ecology. Compared with traditional methods, stable isotopes enable accurate and complete analyses. Stable isotope analysis has gradually become an established avian ecology research method. In recent years, the method has made great achievements in the study of bird migration and forage ecology, showing incomparable superiority over other methods. However, the stable isotope analysis method has been rarely applied in the research of avian ecology in China. To promote rapid development of avian ecology and accelerate stable isotope ecology and other interdisciplinary integration, this review illustrates the application of stable isotope analysis in avian ecology.