Crossword Genius

Complained when bushranger went after extinct bird (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

moaned

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

'complained' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'bushranger went after extinct bird' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'bird' could be 'moa' (extinct flightless bird of New Zealand) and 'moa' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ned' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'when' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for moaned that I've seen before include "Complained" , "A demon (anag.)" , "Made low sound of pain - or grumbled" , "Made low mournful sound as of pain" , "Made low sound of pain or distress" .)

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