Collector has been first with debtor and flier (9)
I believe the answer is:
bowerbird
'collector' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.
'been first with debtor and flier' is the wordplay.
'been first' becomes 'b' (ost letter of 'been').
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'debtor' becomes 'ower' (I've seen this in another clue).
'and' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'flier' becomes 'bird' (synonyms).
'b'+'ower'+'bird'='BOWERBIRD'
'has' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for bowerbird that I've seen is " Aussie singer".)