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In this study, we used mitochondrial control sequences and microsatellite data from 231 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus individuals sampled from 19 sites in China to analyse their genetic structure and evolutionary history. High genetic diversity was found for all populations, although microsatellite analysis showed that the genetic diversity in non‐migratory populations was significantly higher than in migratory populations. High gene flow occurred between neighbouring populations, although long‐distance gene flow also occurred. The Huazhong population was the single greatest genetic source for other populations. High gene flow probably led to the shallow genetic structure that we observed. Demographic expansion was found in migratory populations, non‐migratory populations and with all individuals combined. The expansion time for all populations combined was estimated to be 221 000 years ago. The Common Moorhen population grew rapidly during the interglacial before the last glacial maximum (LGM), then remained generally stable from the LGM to the present.

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High gene flow and population expansion can promote genetic diversity (Song and Lei, 2014; Ruan et al., 2018; Xu et al., 2019). However, low genetic diversity can lead to a population bottlenecks (Excoffier et al., 2009). Sexbiased dispersal can improve breeding opportunities for birds, thereby increasing gene flow, genetic diversity, and inclusive fitness (Clinton et al., 2007; Hamilton and May, 1977; Taylor, 1988; Pernetta et al., 2011), which are significantly beneficial to the evolutionary process of a population (Paris et al., 2016). The silver pheasant (Lophura nycthemera) is a common species that is widely distributed in southern China and Southeast Asia, which prefers to inhabit shrub patches (Zhang et al., 2003). Based on mitochondrial markers, previous researchers studied the divergence time and evolutionary history of Lophura (Alain et al., 1998; Huang et al., 2010; Jiang et al., 2014). However, there are no previous studies of the sex-biased dispersal patterns or population structures of the silver pheasant in southern China. Considering previous results, we adopted mitochondrial and microsatellite approaches to explore