Crossword Genius

It has vivid plumage and a masterly cry (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

macaw

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'it has vivid plumage' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'a masterly cry' is the wordplay.
'a masterly' becomes 'ma' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'cry' becomes 'caw' (caw is a kind of cry).
'ma'+'caw'='MACAW'

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for macaw that I've seen before include "Avian chatterbox" , "Largest parrot" , "Long-tailed American parrot" , "Colourful creature" , "Large bright parrot" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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