Seconds before bird's sudden dash (5)
I believe the answer is:
scoot
'sudden dash' is the definition.
'scoot' can be an answer for 'dash' (I've seen this in another clue). I'm unsure of the 'sudden' bit.
'seconds before bird's' is the wordplay.
'seconds' becomes 's' (abbreviation).
'before' says to put letters next to each other.
'bird' becomes 'coot' (coot is a kind of bird).
's'+'coot'='SCOOT'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for scoot that I've seen before include "Skedaddle" , "Move rapidly" , "Dart off" , "Depart quickly (does not contain H)" , "hurry" .)