Like dad mate keeps a bird (8)
I believe the answer is:
paternal
'like' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'dad mate keeps a bird' is the wordplay.
'dad mate' becomes 'pal' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'keeps' indicates putting letters inside.
'bird' becomes 'tern' (tern is a kind of bird).
'a'+'tern'='atern'
'pal' enclosing 'atern' is 'PATERNAL'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for paternal that I've seen before include "protective interest" , "Of one's father" , "Fatherly in prenatal manner" , "Dad's" , "Related on the father's side" .)