Crossword Genius

Friend across pond welcomes celebrated flier (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bustard

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

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

'friend across pond welcomes celebrated' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'celebrated' could be 'star' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'star' is found in the answer.
'friend' could be 'bud' (shortly for buddy) and 'bud' is located in the leftover letters.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bustard that I've seen before include "See large bird" , "Large heavy bird" , "Bad rust (anag.)" , "Long-legged, heavy-bodied bird" , "flyer" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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