Crossword Genius

Bird pokes face with wing in giant blunder (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ptarmigan

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'bird pokes' is the definition.
'ptarmigan' can be an answer for 'bird' (I've seen this before). I am not certain of the 'pokes' bit.

'face with wing in giant blunder' is the wordplay.
'face with' becomes 'p' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'wing' becomes 'arm' (both can mean a side).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'blunder' indicates anagramming the letters.
'giant' is an anagram of 'tigan'.
'arm' put into 'tigan' is 'tarmigan'.
'p'+'tarmigan'='PTARMIGAN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ptarmigan that I've seen before include "Grouse-like bird" , "turns white in winter" , "Game bird, white in winter" , "Highland game bird -- giant ramp (anag)" , "One flying" .)

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