Crossword Genius

Spooner's belittling individual still living at home (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nestling

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

'spooner's' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'belittling individual still living at home' is the wordplay.
'belittling individual still living' becomes 'ling' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'at' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other) (I've seen this in other clues).
'home' becomes 'nest' (a bird's home).
'ling' after 'nest' is 'NESTLING'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nestling that I've seen before include "Young bird not yet fledged" , "Unfledged bird" , "Chick" , "in a huddle" , "Little bird" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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