Crossword Genius

Young lover losing independent bird (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

swan

'bird' is the definition.
(swan is a kind of bird)

'young lover losing independent' is the wordplay.
'young lover' becomes 'swain' (I've seen this before).
'losing' is a deletion indicator.
'independent' becomes 'i'.
'swain' with 'i' removed is 'SWAN'.

(Other definitions for swan that I've seen before include "The Ugly Duckling's outcome" , "Stately aquatic bird" , "Large, web-footed bird" , "Long-necked water bird" , "Flighty" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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