Arabian Green Bee-eater

It is 16–18 centimetres (6.3–7.1 in) long excluding the elongated central tail feathers, which are an additional 2 cm (0.8 in) long. The head and back plumage is dull green except for a slender black eyestripe with a broad blue forehead and line above the black eyestripe, a conspicuous blue throat, and a broad black crescent at the top of the breast below the throat. The breast and underparts are blue-green. The most distinctive trait of this species is its bright blue throat and face, more intense than on either M. orientalis or M. viridissimus, and the central tail feathers are shorter. The wing and tail feathers are bronzed coppery-green above, and coppery-orange below. The iris is red, the bill is black, and the legs are dark grey. The juveniles are paler and duller overall, and lack the elongated tail feathers and black throat crescent. The species also differs from M. orientalis and M. viridissimus in its voice. M. c. muscatensis differs from M. c. cyanophrys in being slightly more yellowish-green above, and having a slightly narrower black crescent at the top of the breast.

The Arabian green bee-eater is a native species of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Agricultural expansion and irrigation has increased the amount of habitable areas. The International Union for Conservation of Nature considers the be of "least concern". According to wildlife photographer Arthur Grosset, it is "is usually found in dry, open country with scattered trees and in wadis, gardens and farmland".

== References ==