Clara Peggotty's parrot? (3)
I believe the answer is:
ape
'parrot' is the definition.
(both can mean to imitate)
'clara peggotty's' is the wordplay.
'APE' is hidden within the letters.
But, I am not sure how this is indicated.
(Other definitions for ape that I've seen before include "Our cousin" , "Simulate" , "Take off" , "Mimic the primate" , "gorilla" .)