Crossword Genius

Screech animal near a rock face heard (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

caterwaul

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

'screech' is the definition.
(caterwauling is a kind of screeching)

'animal near a rock face heard' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'animal' could be 'cat' (cats are animals) and 'cat' is found within the answer.
'a' is within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for caterwaul that I've seen before include "Make feline howl about curate law" , "shrill howl" , "Howl like cat" , "Sound of moggy" , "Howl like a feline" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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