Birds smear little birds (9)

I believe the answer is:

dabchicks

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

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

'smear little birds' is the wordplay.
'smear' becomes 'dab' (I've seen this in another clue).
'little birds' becomes 'chicks' ('chick' can be a synonym of 'bird'. I am not sure about the 'little' bit.).
'dab'+'chicks'='DABCHICKS'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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