Leggy bird Ruth wants top removed (5)

I believe the answer is:

egret

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'leggy bird' is the definition.
'egret' can be an answer for 'bird' (egret is a kind of bird). I'm unsure of the 'leggy' bit.

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for egret that I've seen before include "Water-bird, has plume" , "White-plumed wader" , "Mainly white heron" , "White wading-bird" , "young bird" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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