The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word LINNET
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
L
I
N
N
E
T
More clues leading to the result LINNET
- Bird thrashing skyward?
- Songbird left where it could be trapped?
- Left in nest — no small bird
- Songbird left in trap
- Singer hiding at football match after retirement
- Bird, large, in trap
- 10-0 upset for high flier?
- Bird left pub before start of extra time
- Finch allowed to circle pub
- Singer allowed to keep a pub
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Bird" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case bird = linnet.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does LINNET mean?
LINNET noun- A small passerine bird, the common linnet (Linaria cannabina, syn. Carduelis cannabina), in the finch family Fringillidae, native to Europe, western Asia, and north Africa.
- A house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), of North America.