Crossword Genius

Bird box on line (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sparrow

'bird' is the definition.
(sparrow is a kind of bird)

'box on line' is the wordplay.
'box' becomes 'spar' (spar can mean to box).
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (in a down clue, letters appear on others).
'line' becomes 'row' (a row or line of things).
'spar'+'row'='SPARROW'

(Other definitions for sparrow that I've seen before include "House bird" , "Pirate" , "one on the wing" , "A small chirpy city bird 97)" , "bird produced" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app