Pale as a bird (5)

I believe the answer is:

ashen

'pale' is the definition.
('ashen' can be a synonym of 'pale')

'as a bird' is the wordplay.
'a bird' becomes 'hen' (hen is a kind of bird**).
'as'+'hen'='ASHEN'

(Other definitions for ashen that I've seen before include "Deathly pale" , "showing signs of anaemia" , "'Very pale, from shock say (5)'" , "Grey in colour" , "Anaemic looking" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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