Crossword Genius

Ring individual example, releasing Northern bird (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hoopoe

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

'releasing northern bird' is the definition.
'hoopoe' can be an answer for 'bird' (hoopoe is a kind of bird). I'm unsure of the 'releasing northern' bit.

'ring individual example' is the wordplay.
'ring' becomes 'hoop' (synonyms).
'individual example' becomes 'oe' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'hoop'+'oe'='HOOPOE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hoopoe that I've seen before include "occasional visitor here" , "Crested bird, pink with black and white wings" , "Pink Eurasian bird with black and white wings and tail" , "Bird with curved bill" , "Flier" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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