Duck, parrot and budgie, perhaps, back on team (8)
I believe the answer is:
sidestep
'duck' is the definition.
('sidestep' can be a synonym of 'duck')
'parrot and budgie perhaps back on team' is the wordplay.
'parrot and budgie perhaps' becomes 'pets'.
'back' says the letters should be written backwards.
'on' says to put letters next to each other.
'team' becomes 'side' (I've seen this before).
'pets' reversed gives 'step'.
'step' after 'side' is 'SIDESTEP'.
(Other definitions for sidestep that I've seen before include "Dodge - circumvent" , "Find a way round" , "Dodge (an issue?)" , "To avoid" , "Shift to right or left" .)