Crossword Genius

They are used for raising birds

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cranes

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

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

'they are used for raising' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'are' could be 'ran' (running is a kind of being) and 'ran' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cranes that I've seen before include "Lifting machines and wading birds" , "Long-legged birds or heavy lifting machines" , "Lifting machines or large birds" , "Long-necked wading birds" , "Makes an effort to see" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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