Crossword Genius

Small bird has to dash (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

scoot

'dash' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'small bird' is the wordplay.
'small' becomes 's' (abbreviation - e.g. clothes size).
'bird' becomes 'coot' (coot is a kind of bird).
's'+'coot'='SCOOT'

'has to' is the link.

(Other definitions for scoot that I've seen before include "Skedaddle" , "hurry" , "hightail it" , "Leave quickly" , "Dart off" .)

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app