Crossword Genius

Heading for prey like a bird, snatching almost nothing automatic? (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pavlovian

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

'automatic?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are adjectives, I cannot see how one could define the other.

'heading for prey like a bird snatching almost nothing' is the wordplay.
'heading for' suggests taking the first letters.
'like a bird' becomes 'avian' (I've seen this in another clue).
'snatching' indicates putting letters inside.
'almost' means to remove the last letter (most of the word but not all of it).
'nothing' becomes 'love' (love is zero in tennis).
The first letter of 'prey' is 'p'.
'love' with its final letter taken away is 'lov'.
'avian' placed around 'lov' is 'avlovian'.
'p'+'avlovian'='PAVLOVIAN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pavlovian that I've seen before include "sort of reflex" , "(Of a response) involuntary" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app