Sugar Preferences and Digestion by Cape White-Eyes, Zosterops virens, Fed Artificial Fruit Diets

摘要: Sugar preferences and digestion of sugars in artificial fruit different sugar types concentrations were investigated a South African facultative frugivore, the Cape white-eye (Zosterops virens). We studied preferences, daily food energy intake, digestive efficiencies transit times with birds that fed diets comprising 6.6, 12.4 22% glucose sucrose, respectively. Digestive rates faster for compared sucrose diets, irrespective concentration. Birds showed increased intake decreasing concentration, but no significant differences these amounts differing concentrations. Apparent assimilation lower than most nectar studies, generally higher (79.3–85.6%) (69.0–78.4%). In choice tests, preferred over equivalent weight, I...