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Heavy-footed moa described by Richard Owen in 1856
John Cassin publishes Illustrations of the Birds of California, Texas, Oregon, British, and Russian America.
Léon Olphe-Galliard takes part in the second congress of Deutsche Ornithologen-Gesellschaft at Gothen in Germany, where he meets Prince Lucien Bonaparte , and other scientists.
Johan August Wahlberg killed by a wounded elephant while exploring the headwaters of the Limpopo River .
Birds described in 1856 include kea , Brewer's sparrow , western bronze-naped pigeon , yellow-spotted barbet , barred parakeet ,
In October the red-necked nightjar occurred in Britain.
Marc Athanase Parfait Oeillet Des Murs publishes the ornithological section of Voyage autour du monde sur la frégate la Vénus in collaboration with Florent Prévost .
Henry Haversham Godwin-Austen joins the Great Trigonometric Survey of India .
Robert Swinhoe makes an "adventurous" visit to the camphor districts of Formosa
Ongoing events
John Gould The birds of Australia ; Supplement 1851–69. 1 vol. 81 plates; Artists: J. Gould and H. C. Richter; Lithographer: H. C. Richter
John Gould The birds of Asia ; 1850-83 7 vols. 530 plates, Artists: J. Gould, H. C. Richter, W. Hart and J. Wolf; Lithographers:H. C. Richter and W. Hart