Shift closer to espy bird belonging to thrush family (5)

I believe the answer is:

veery

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

'bird belonging to thrush family' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'shift closer to espy' is the wordplay.
'shift' becomes 'veer' (I've seen this in another clue).
'closer' suggests the final letters (I've seen 'close of' mean this (the letter which ends or closes the word)).
The last letter of 'espy' is 'y'.
'veer'+'y'='VEERY'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.

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