Crossword Genius

Willing royal involved in offer for pheasant (4,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

game bird

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

'pheasant' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both animals as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'willing royal involved in offer' is the wordplay.
'willing' becomes 'game' (game can mean willing to do something).
'royal' becomes 'r' (abbreviation).
'involved in' is an insertion indicator.
'offer' becomes 'bid' (bid is a kind of offer).
'r' put into 'bid' is 'bird'.
'game'+'bird'='GAME-BIRD'

'for' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for game bird that I've seen before include "Grouse, perhaps" , "Ambridge (anag) -- eg grouse" , "Pheasant, for example" , "A pheasant or grouse - sounds courageous" , "Woodcock" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app