Crossword Genius

Returning mate slightly wounds birds (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

lapwings

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'birds' is the definition.
(lapwing is a kind of bird)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for lapwings that I've seen before include "Types of plover" , "birds" , "Crested plovers" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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