Bird (quail) shakes colourful tail (5)

I believe the answer is:

finch

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

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for finch that I've seen before include "Songbird such as a canary" , "Type of bird" , "Bird such as canary" , "Seed-eating songbird" , "Peter - - , film actor; bird" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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