Hot sailor in pink waders (9)

I believe the answer is:

flamingos

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'pink waders' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both animals as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'hot sailor' is the wordplay.
'hot' becomes 'flaming' (similar in meaning).
'sailor' becomes 'os' (ordinary seaman).
'flaming'+'os'='FLAMINGOS'

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for flamingos that I've seen is " Large pink web-footed wading birds".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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