A United Kingdom flier (3)

I believe the answer is:

auk

'flier' is the definition.
(auk is a kind of birdanimal)

'a united kingdom' is the wordplay.
'united kingdom' becomes 'uk' ('UK' can be a synonym of 'united kingdom').
'a'+'uk'='AUK'

(Other definitions for auk that I've seen before include "Northern sea-bird with short narrow wings" , "Northern seabird with small narrow wings" , "Black-and-white diving bird of northern seas" , "Northern sea bird with short narrow wings" , "Great ---, extinct seabird" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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