Crossword Genius

Singer reportedly used to engage in casual talk (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

woodchat

'singer' is the definition.
(I know that woodchat is a type of singer)

'reportedly used to engage in casual talk' is the wordplay.
'reportedly' shows a homophone (sound like).
'used to' becomes 'would' (eg 'I would walk to school').
'engage in casual talk' becomes 'chat' (to chat is talk casually).
'would' is a homophone of 'wood'.
'wood'+'chat'='WOODCHAT'

(Another definition for woodchat that I've seen is " 18's [BIRD]".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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