In place, perhaps, but it flaps about (7)
I believe the answer is:
pelican
'it flaps about' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'in place perhaps' is the wordplay.
'perhaps' is an anagram indicator.
'in'+'place'='inplace'
'inplace' is an anagram of 'PELICAN'.
'but' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for pelican that I've seen before include "Tropical bird" , "Aquatic bird - type of road crossing" , "In place for large-billed bird" , "Large waterbird" , "Bird's" .)