Brassy looking, a bird can be beautiful (5)
I believe the answer is:
braid
'brassy looking' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.
'a bird can be beautiful' is the wordplay.
'a bird' anagrams to 'BRAID'.
Though, I am not sure how the anagram is indicated.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for braid that I've seen before include "Ornamental strip" , "Decorative ribbon" , "decoration" , "Gilded ribbon" , "Decorative band for trimming" .)