Crossword Genius

Bird seen in region next to range of hills (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

partridge

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

'region next to range of hills' is the wordplay.
'region' becomes 'part' ('part' can be a synonym of 'region').
'next to' says to put letters next to each other.
'range of hills' becomes 'ridge' (I've seen this before).
'part'+'ridge'='PARTRIDGE'

'seen in' is the link.

(Other definitions for partridge that I've seen before include "Peculiarly apt girder for the game bird" , "Widespread bird" , "Flier" , "Flighty type" , "Animal" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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