A large bee-eater which appears greenish overall. Note the bluish-green forehead, the long blue streak down the throat to the breast, and the dull yellow belly with green streaks. It has a dark, heavy bill and a long tail. Its flight is undulating, short, and rapid. Unlike other bee-eaters, it does not soar often, nor does it appear graceful in flight. It can be inconspicuous as it sticks to the mid-canopy of the wooded groves and forests it inhabits. Calls include deep throaty clucks, low growls, and dry croaks.