Crossword Genius

Bird heading off hound (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eagle

'bird' is the definition.
(eagle is a kind of bird)

'heading off hound' is the wordplay.
'heading off' means to remove the first letter.
'hound' becomes 'beagle' (beagle is a kind of hound).
'beagle' with its initial letter taken away is 'EAGLE'.

(Other definitions for eagle that I've seen before include "A birdie (or better!)" , "The bald one is a US symbol" , "High-flyer" , "Valuable piece" , "It may soar" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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