Crossword Genius

The doctor is a popular bird! (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

intern

'the doctor' is the definition.
(intern is a kind of doctor)

'popular bird' is the wordplay.
'popular' becomes 'in' ('in' can mean trendy).
'bird' becomes 'tern' (tern is a kind of bird).
'in'+'tern'='INTERN'

'is a' is the link.

(Other definitions for intern that I've seen before include "(American) hospital doctor" , "Deprive of freedom" , "put in jail" , "Official language of Pakistan" , "22 [IMPRISON]" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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