Crossword Genius

Passenger pigeon or dodo? Certainly no spring chicken! (3,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

old bird

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

'certainly no spring chicken' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'passenger pigeon or dodo?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'dodo?' could be 'bird' (dodo is a kind of bird) and 'bird' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'old' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for old bird that I've seen is " Astute and experienced person".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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