Crossword Genius

Verbally control attempt to catch right type of woodpecker (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rainbird

'type of woodpecker' is the definition.

'verbally control attempt to catch right' is the wordplay.
'verbally' shows a homophone (sound like).
'control' becomes 'rein' (reining is a kind of controlling).
'attempt to' becomes 'bid'.
'catch' indicates putting letters inside.
'right' becomes 'r' (common abbreviation).
'rein' is a homophone of 'rain'.
'bid' enclosing 'r' is 'bird'.
'rain'+'bird'='RAINBIRD'

(Another definition for rainbird that I've seen is " Flighty type".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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