Psh, why are you wasting your time? It’s *never *lupus.
Possible causes of a marked head tilt and circling (in order of most likely):
Damage to the internal ear/balance system due to a) trauma b) infection either bacterial or viral c) tumor d) non-traumatic vascular event (like stroke or clotting problem). I’d say that the top two options put together are about 80% likely, with the third option taking up another 18%.
Neck trauma is out because the bird wouldn’t be circling. Wing trauma doesn’t cause either of the symptoms you describe.
Prognosis is still not so hot, even though he looks ok so far. If it is trauma or infection, he might pull through but never be normal enough to release. If it’s a tumor, it’ll get worse for sure.
So, new pet? What Broomstick said about the food is very true. If he can’t eat on his own, he’ll be a very problematic pet.
Well, whatever it was, it got the best of him tonight. He seemed okay this morning, was a bit listless this afternoon and I had a feeling he wouldn’t last the night. By 8:30pm, I went to check on him and that was that. I’m not sure if he was eating or drinking due to his injury (he was pooping but that could have been stuff eaten pre-injury).
Thanks for the help from those who helped and it was a good experience, even if it was one with an unhappy ending.
We recently found a wild bird on our patio who seemed either injured or ill, and had to deal with much of the same issues you did, Jophiel. With the same result. I comforted myself (I’m such a frigging sap) the same way I’ll offer you words of comfort…
You gave him a warm, safe, protected place to live out his last hours. Deride this as “warm fuzzies,” but I believe that offering such a small bit of comfort in the world contributes to the betterment of the overall energy of life. Good for you for trying and for caring for a small living thing.
Woo! I wasn’t completely off base!
Thank you, Jophiel. I think that’s a great thing you did.
Thanks for trying. That’s all we can do for each other anyway. ~:>
Rest in peace, little English house sparrow…
Lovely warm thread. May only good things happen to OP, and to all participants in the thread…
There’s a very low success rate with wild birds like this. Most veterinarians don’t specialise in it and even handling them will often stress them enough to kill them.
Missed the last update from you, Joph. 
At least the bird died safe and warm.