Finch's tail clipped twice somewhere upstairs (5)
I believe the answer is:
attic
'finch's tail' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for attic that I've seen before include "Room at the top of a house" , "Top level" , "Greek - upper room" , "The highest room" , "where high-ups are found?" .)