Regarding the bird phobia RJ may have which stopped him from killing Lisbon, I would be pretty disappointed if that were the case. With the mental capabilities exhibited by RJ I personally would be shocked if he has a major phobia of a nature that would impede his ability to carry out whatever his plans may be (including killing Teresa). Here we have this ultimate badass with superior mental abilities and he is incapable of overcoming a phobia that would affect everything he does? (birds are everywhere).

I know they hinted at the possibility but I believe not killing Teresa was part of the plan and the birds are just a red herring.