Crossword Genius

Old beak in female bird (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

reeve

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'bird' is the definition.
(reeve is a kind of bird)

'old beak in female' is the wordplay.
'old beak in' becomes 're' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'female' becomes 'eve' (Eve is an example).
're'+'eve'='REEVE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for reeve that I've seen before include "fasten rope" , "Bailiff, steward" , "Someone with a tale" , "[PILGRIM in the CANTERBURY TALES]" , "Chief magistrate, formerly" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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