Subspecies
It has two subspecies
- Merops persicus persicus - Breeds in Asia, winters in East and Southern Africa
- Merops persicus chrysocercus - Breeds in North Africa, winters in West Africa.
This species is closely related to Blue-tailed Bee-eater, M. philippinus of East Asia, and the Olive Bee-eater of Africa, and has been treated as being the same species (conspecific).
Read more about this topic: Blue-cheeked Bee-eater