Smart one confused with a bird (8)

I believe the answer is:

debonair

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'smart' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'one confused with a bird' is the wordplay.
'confused with' indicates an anagram.
'a'+'bird'='abird'
'one' anagrammed with 'abird' makes 'DEBONAIR'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for debonair that I've seen before include "Cheerful, charming and elegant" , "I broaden out, being self-confident and carefree" , "Having carefree, suave manner" , "Having a carefree confident manner" , "Bride on a swing has carefree, urbane manner" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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