Flier makes Marxist jump (8)
I believe the answer is:
redstart
'flier' is the definition.
(redstart is a kind of birdanimal)
'marxist jump' is the wordplay.
'marxist' becomes 'red' ('red' can be a synonym of 'marxist').
'jump' becomes 'start' ('start' can be a synonym of 'jump').
'red'+'start'='REDSTART'
'makes' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for redstart that I've seen before include "One sings" , "bird from Europe" , "Flier" , "Songbird" , "Bird of the thrush family" .)