Crossword Genius

It can lift a bird (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

crane

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

'bird' is the definition.
(crane is a kind of bird)

'it can lift a' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'it' could be 'e' ('e' can mean 'electronic' which is similar to 'IT') and 'e' is found in the answer.
'a' could be 'an' and 'an' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for crane that I've seen before include "Lifter; bird" , "Bird; hoister" , "Lifting structure" , "Lifting machine or long-legged bird" , "To do it could mean a long stretch" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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