Crossword Genius

Unusual leafy surroundings for female woodpecker (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

yaffle

'woodpecker' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'unusual leafy surroundings for female' is the wordplay.
'unusual' is an anagram indicator.
'surroundings for' indicates putting letters inside.
'female' becomes 'f' (common abbreviation).
'leafy' is an anagram of 'yafle'.
'yafle' going around 'f' is 'YAFFLE'.

(Other definitions for yaffle that I've seen before include "Green woodpecker" , "Woodpecker (colloquial)" , "BIRD" , "tree surgeon?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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