Crossword Genius

Rival bird is not on time (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

emulate

'rival' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'bird is not on time' is the wordplay.
'bird' becomes 'emu' (emu is a type of bird).
'is not on time' becomes 'late' (I've seen this in another clue).
'emu'+'late'='EMULATE'

(Other definitions for emulate that I've seen before include "Follow suit" , "Copy - rival" , "Contend with" , "Imitate, try to equal" , "Attempt to match" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail and The Irish News.
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