Crossword Genius

Excitedly kiss popular flier (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

siskin

'flier' is the definition.
(siskin is a kind of birdanimal)

'excitedly kiss popular' is the wordplay.
'excitedly' indicates an anagram.
'popular' becomes 'in'.
'kiss' is an anagram of 'sisk'.
'sisk'+'in'='SISKIN'

(Other definitions for siskin that I've seen before include "Breed of finch" , "Yellowish-green finch" , "Small yellow and black finch" , "Greenish songbird of finch family" , "Winger" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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