Crossword Genius

Walk across the road with bird at Checkpoint Charlie (7,8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pelican crossing

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

'checkpoint charlie' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'walk across the road with bird' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'bird' could be 'pelican' (pelican is a kind of bird) and 'pelican' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'crossing' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'at' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pelican crossing that I've seen before include "safe place to walk" , "I can stop the traffic" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.
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