Crossword Genius

Flier, a role model to a motherless man (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

heron

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'flier' is the definition.
(heron is a kind of birdanimal)

'a role model to a motherless man' is the wordplay.
'a role model' becomes 'hero' ('hero' can be a synonym of 'role model').
'to' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'a motherless man' becomes 'n' (knight, a man in chess. I am not sure about the 'motherless' bit.).
'hero'+'n'='HERON'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for heron that I've seen before include "Wading bird with long neck and legs" , "Big bird" , "Graceful grey bird with long neck" , "Grey or white long-legged wading bird" , "Long-legged long-necked wading bird" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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