[Monica]

The failure comes when you give up, or fail to properly care for your bird(s) to the best of your knowledge. I've had a rough start in birds myself, many could have been from bad genetics, though I may never know as I've never done a necropsy on any of the birds that had passed on. Since you say that you are nearly 18, then you are only a couple months older than myself.

Try separating them first in different rooms, though do know that they may call out for eachother. Try working with them separately, both away from their cages, and never together. You may be able to calm down your older budgie, if that is what you wish to do. I myself have a 10 year old male, though I've only had him for about 5 years, and he too is an older grumpy bird, though he doesn't normally act aggressively towards others, even if he doesn't accept them (a younger female put him in his place when he got upset that she got in his little 'bubble').

For now, all I can suggest is to work with them separately and have them in different rooms. If after several weeks/months and there is no change in his behavior, and you worked with him every day that you could, then think about 'what if' he'd be happier somewhere else, or can you provide for him for the rest of his life. Some older budgies simply may not take to new birds (like my own), and just might want to be alone.

Even though my Cosmo has made himself a 'hermit' that lives with another male budgie that acts like a 'teen', I know that I can still provide for him and make him comfortable in this home. If I were to rehome him, he may become lonely, or he may never take to any other birds and may not be happy in another home because of the way he is now.