Down flier? (8)

I believe the answer is:

bluebird

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'down flier?' is the definition.
'bluebird' can be an answer for 'flier?' (bluebird is a kind of birdanimal). I'm not certain of the 'down' bit.

'down flier?' is the wordplay.
'down' becomes 'blue' (I've seen this before).
'flier?' becomes 'bird' ('bird' can be a synonym of 'birdanimal'**).
'blue'+'bird'='BLUEBIRD'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bluebird that I've seen before include "Famous speedboat" , "Racing car" , "Donald Campbell's speedboat - relative of thrush" , "American avian" , "Cerulean flier associated with happiness" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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