Bird goes after note that is low and throaty (5)
I believe the answer is:
gruff
'throaty' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'bird goes after note' is the wordplay.
'bird' becomes 'ruff' (ruff is a kind of bird).
'goes after' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'note' becomes 'g' (musical note).
'ruff' after 'g' is 'GRUFF'.
'that is low and' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for gruff that I've seen before include "Rasping - ungracious" , "Churlish" , "Surly -- rough-spoken" , "Hoarse" , "Rough-sounding" .)