Bird with irritation when grasped by performer (9)
I believe the answer is:
dowitcher
'bird' is the definition.
(dowitcher is a kind of bird)
'with irritation when grasped by performer' is the wordplay.
'with' becomes 'w' (abbreviation).
'irritation when' becomes 'itch' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'grasped by' indicates putting letters inside (I've seen this in other clues).
'performer' becomes 'doer' (I've seen this in another clue).
'w'+'itch'='witch'
'witch' placed into 'doer' is 'DOWITCHER'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dowitcher that I've seen before include "bird" , "high-flyer at sea?" .)