Cower like a bird (5)
I believe the answer is:
quail
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'cower' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'a bird' is the second definition.
(quail is a kind of bird)
'like' is the link.
(Other definitions for quail that I've seen before include "Show fear - of small game bird?" , "Small bird of the partridge family" , "Cower before the game-bird?" , "Game bird - cower" , "See little bird" .)