The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word BUSTARD
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
B
U
S
T
A
R
D
More clues leading to the result BUSTARD
- Shoot involves celebrated bird
- Friend across pond welcomes celebrated flyer
- Bird of abnormal size, socially acceptable for one acting
- Grow to keep leading bird
- Sprout inspiring celebrated bird
- Bird is damaged lying on a road
- d. A way to support bankrupt flyer
- Something like a crane‘s terribly bad rust
- Breakaway flier?
- Road transport is slow, 80% will take flight
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "the cause of serious bird strike" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case the cause of serious bird strike = bustard.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does BUSTARD mean?
BUSTARD noun- Any of several large terrestrial birds of the family Otididae that inhabit dry open country and steppes in the Old World.