Sound of train made by bird captured on tape (5)
I believe the answer is:
chuff
'tape' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for chuff that I've seen before include "Sound of old train - make happy?" , "Be steaming" , "Please" , "Puff (like a steam engine)" , "Puff like a steam locomotive" .)