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Sugar preferences and absorption efficiencies were investigated in the Cape White‐eye Zosterops pallidus, a generalist frugivore. Unlike the mainly American frugivorous passerines previously studied, Cape White‐eyes preferred 20% (weight: weight) solutions of sucrose to glucose or fructose, and apparently possess high sucrase activity because absorption efficiencies for all three sugars were close to 100%. Cape White‐eyes rejected 20% solutions containing a fourth nectar sugar, xylose, recently found in the nectar of Protea and Faurea (Proteaceae). Absorption efficiencies for xylose averaged 61%, but we do not know whether this sugar is utilized by the birds. Cape White‐eyes thus resemble specialized southern African nectarivores (Nectariniidae, Promeropidae) in their responses to nectar sugars.

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