Lifting machines for birds (6)
I believe the answer is:
cranes
'for birds' is the definition.
(crane is a kind of bird)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for cranes that I've seen before include "Lifting machines or large birds" , "Long-necked wading birds" , "Long-legged birds or heavy lifting machines" , "Lifting machines and long-necked birds" , "Makes an effort to see" .)