Crossword Genius

American bird dog drilled by excited lad (4,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bald eagle

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

'american bird' is the definition.
'bald eagle' can be an answer for 'bird' (bald eagle is a kind of bird). I am not certain of the 'american' bit.

'dog drilled by excited lad' is the wordplay.
'dog' becomes 'beagle' (beagle is a kind of dog).
'drilled by' is an insertion indicator.
'excited' indicates an anagram.
'lad' is an anagram of 'ald'.
'beagle' going around 'ald' is 'BALD EAGLE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bald eagle that I've seen before include "N. American bird" , "Flier" , "National emblem of the USA" , "US national bird" , "National bird of the USA" .)

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