Asian Green Bee-eater

Merops orientalis Latham, 1801

Asian Green Bee-eater, Merops orientalis, is a bee-eater of southern Iran and southern Asia, reaching south-central China and south-east Asia. It belongs to the family Meropidae and was described by Latham in 1801. The species is resident or makes only short seasonal movements. It occurs across a broad stretch of Asia, from coastal southern Iran through the Indian subcontinent to Vietnam. It is placed in grassland, open scrub and woodland, and is often found well away from water. Several regional plumage forms are recognised, and a number of subspecies have been named.

Order

Coraciiformes

Family

Meropidae — Bee-eaters

Breeding range

Palearctic, Oriental Region: s Iran and s Asia to sc China and se Asia