A strange sort of American songbirds (8)

I believe the answer is:

tanagers

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

'american songbirds' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both animals as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'a strange sort' is the wordplay.
'sort' indicates an anagram.
'a'+'strange'='astrange'
'astrange' is an anagram of 'TANAGERS'.

'of' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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