Film star taking odds on golfer making birdies (8)

I believe the answer is:

kestrels

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

'birdies' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are plural nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'film star taking odds on golfer' is the wordplay.
'film' becomes 'kes' (I've seen this before).
'taking odds' indicates alternate letters (only letters in odd-numbered positions).
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'golfer' becomes 'els' (Ernie Els - former number one professional golfer).
The alternate letters of 'star' are 'tr'.
'kes'+'tr'+'els'='KESTRELS'

'making' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for kestrels that I've seen before include "Elk rests awkwardly on the birds" , "Small falcons" , "Birds of prey" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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