Calling all RB2 parents!

My wife and I are weeks away from bringing our baby Rose Breasted 2 home. up until this point our experience has been with conures. I feel there is no better place then here to ask that you guys share your stories with us.
We did so much research looking for our new addition and after meeting an RB2 in person, it was a no brainer. I feel we have a pretty good grasp on what we are getting into, but we still have a few concerns and hope you all can shed some light on the topic.
If any of you live in a townhome or apartment with your birds, what has been your experience with noise and neighbors?
also we have been told and that although they are very affectionate they can be a little more independent than most toos. after spending some time at a rescue and with ours at the store we can see how this statement can be true. How much time handling and cuddling with our baby is too much? my true biggest concern is that my wife and I with all the time we have at home spoil the little guy and create a monster.
really we are just hoping to hear what these guys are all about from the people who share their lives with them. [/IMG]
I hope to hear from you all and eventually contribute with my own experiences with this wonderful bird!

I live in a townhome with my galah, and haven't had any issues. No neighbor complaints or anything. She usually throws at least one bratty, screechy tantrum per day and she IS pretty loud -- so I have no doubt they can hear her. But since this is a pet-friendly complex, and she's never loud for long (or late at night), nobody seems to care.

As for independence...my girl is not so good at that. She's a clingy pest when she's out, and always wants to be on us. Not sure if it's how she was raised (I adopted her as an adult), or if I've really reinforced bad habits, but she doesn't seem to have gotten the memo that she's supposed to be less needy than the white 'toos. That being said, she does fine left alone in her cage for hours, and can entertain herself well. She's just not interested in play stands or bird toys when she's out. Cuddling is always on her terms...sometimes she's too hyper for it, and gets nippy. Other times she'll ask to be preened for an hour at a time. All depends on her mood.

I live in an apartment, no problems with noise. She's capable of being noisy, just for the most part prefers squeaks and chirps as a means of communication. I certainly don't think she's louder than the average conure.

Independence, not so much! She generally wants to be wherever I am, and would rather snuggle up to me even if I'm not paying attention to her than go off and play with toys on her own. If I leave the room without her but she can hear me in another room she'll contact call to me until I come back - not throwing a tantrum and screaming the place down, more a worried 'hey, you forgot me! Are you coming back soon?' communication. But she's quite a clingy bird.

I don't know to what extent Alice 's background influences her behaviour - this is her second home and I think she was largely an ornament confined to a small cage before coming to me - but I do think although they're a delight in comparison to other cockatoos they still have traces of the neurotic, needy aspect of large too behaviour, so they're not the easiest birds to care for even if they're less likely to pluck themselves naked, scream the place down or land you in A&E than the big toos.

On the other hand, just look into the face below and tell me you can resist it!

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Jayyj said:

I don't know to what extent Alice 's background influences her behaviour - this is her second home and I think she was largely an ornament confined to a small cage before coming to me - but I do think although they're a delight in comparison to other cockatoos they still have traces of the neurotic, needy aspect of large too behaviour, so they're not the easiest birds to care for even if they're less likely to pluck themselves naked, scream the place down or land you in A&E than the big toos.

On the other hand, just look into the face below and tell me you can resist it!

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Flower's background is similar...maybe that does play a part. And yes, they are still cockatoos, albeit easier ones than most. They are highly social, intelligent birds who crave companionship. They require a minimum of 3-4 hours per day of interacction or out of cage time, especially if kept as only birds.

We do not live in a town home, but if we did I doubt Chili's occasional shrieking would bother anyone... She hardly does it these days, but it would be safe to expect it once a day. (Lol)

I am a stay at home mom, so I'm home all day every day..Chili's cage and play area is in the living room so even if she's in her cage she's still a part of what's going on... It's important that you teach your baby how to self-entertain...I think doing that makes them not so Velcro-ish. Chili still requires cuddles and snuggles throughout the day and she gets included in some things, but she will gladly play in area for the majority of the day.

Thank you guys for you replies. We really enjoy reading about your birds and would love to hear more. We are pretty excited and cant wait to get our little guy home. for now we visit him/her every other day, thought I would post of few pics

please post more pics of yours!

Very cute baby!!! Have you guys picked out a name yet??

Here are some chili threads

http://www.parrotforums.com/showthread.php?t=45389

http://www.parrotforums.com/showthread.php?t=44597

http://www.parrotforums.com/showthread.php?t=44300

THAT IS JUST THE BEST PICTURE... I love the expression on Chili's face. Contentment at it's best! "I love, and I am loved."

To me, these are the best of the toos...

With all toos, if you hold them too much, you essentially create your own hell...

They need structure, and they need to be taught to self entertain. Do that, and they will be just fine playing on their own for awhile.

Chili is such a sweetheart...

I remember last year reading the Chili and Owen threads unfolding at the same time I was trying to work with Alice and thinking 'Are they really the same species? Or is mine a bit, well, broken?' So I'm sure the fact she's had eight years of not really having her needs attended to had a huge effect on how she views the world now. Toys certainly seemed to be a new one on her, but she's learning to enjoy them, particularly where treats are hidden within. She's a different bird now than she was a year ago, still timid and with an abject fear of anything out of the ordinary but she can relax and enjoy things now where a year ago she was on guard and stressed all the time. Right now she's padding about the sofa cheeping contentedly to me whilst I play on the computer...

I sometimes wonder if I had my time again would I have been better to start with a baby, and the first few months of caring for her when she just seemed miserable and hopeless were certainly hard going - but the reward of seeing her florish and come back to life again has been enormous. And I can't imagine life without her!

Anyway, enough of me babbling - back to the gorgeous babies...

Jayyj said:

Chili is such a sweetheart...

I remember last year reading the Chili and Owen threads unfolding at the same time I was trying to work with Alice and thinking 'Are they really the same species? Or is mine a bit, well, broken?' So I'm sure the fact she's had eight years of not really having her needs attended to had a huge effect on how she views the world now. She's a different bird now than she was a year ago, still timid and with an abject fear of anything out of the ordinary but she can relax and enjoy things now where a year ago she was on guard and stressed all the time. Right now she's padding about the sofa cheeping contentedly to me whilst I play on the computer...

I sometimes wonder if I had my time again would I have been better to start with a baby, and the first few months of caring for her when she just seemed miserable and hopeless were certainly hard going - but the reward of seeing her florish and come back to life again has been enormous. And I can't imagine life without her!

Anyway, enough of me babbling - back to the gorgeous babies...

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They do bounce back. Give it time. You've seen major improvements, but my guess is your bird hasn't finished opening up yet...

I agree with Mark- every bird is an individual and has their own personalities, and how long they take to adjust to new life styles can take longer than others. Alice has had a vast improvement in her life, and I think what you see now is just the tip of the iceberg of her coming out of her shell. [emoji4]

What an adorable baby!! I'll be bringing my galah home in a few weeks, so I know just how impatient & excited you are right now. ha ha

I can't wait to hear all about your new addition. Please keep us posted. Congratulations!

*That photo of Chili makes my heart melt every time I see it. Awwww.

getwozzy said:

Very cute baby!!! Have you guys picked out a name yet??

Here are some chili threads

Let's play 52 card pick up - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

Chili being silly (as usual lol) - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

Chili dancing to "Happy" - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

Click to expand...

we are waiting on the dna test to come back before we pick a name. So many good names out there!

We don't have any toos, but I wanted to say congrats! RB2s are one of the cutest baby parrots ever.

witchbaby said:

What an adorable baby!! I'll be bringing my galah home in a few weeks, so I know just how impatient & excited you are right now. ha ha

I can't wait to hear all about your new addition. Please keep us posted. Congratulations!

*That photo of Chili makes my heart melt every time I see it. Awwww.

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Sounds like yours is just about the same age as ours, 10 wks. we cant wait to get our baby home. should be very soon, as RB2s wean between 10-12 wks. we visit the store 4-5 time a week and hang out with him. Im glad to know you are in the same boat as us. Im sure we will have a ton of stories to share! Congrats to you as well!

bullbird said:

witchbaby said:

What an adorable baby!! I'll be bringing my galah home in a few weeks, so I know just how impatient & excited you are right now. ha ha

I can't wait to hear all about your new addition. Please keep us posted. Congratulations!

*That photo of Chili makes my heart melt every time I see it. Awwww.

Click to expand...

Sounds like yours is just about the same age as ours, 10 wks. we cant wait to get our baby home. should be very soon, as RB2s wean between 10-12 wks. we visit the store 4-5 time a week and hang out with him. Im glad to know you are in the same boat as us. Im sure we will have a ton of stories to share! Congrats to you as well!

Click to expand...

Yep, 10 weeks sounds right. I've only got a couple more before I can bring him home.

Beautiful!

bullbird said:

getwozzy said:

Very cute baby!!! Have you guys picked out a name yet??

Here are some chili threads

Let's play 52 card pick up - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

Chili being silly (as usual lol) - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

Chili dancing to "Happy" - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

Click to expand...

we are waiting on the dna test to come back before we pick a name. So many good names out there!

Click to expand...

When are you expecting the DNA results?

My hubby didn't want to name Chili until he saw her, so the day we picked her up at the airport I had my 100,000+ baby name book with me so we could pick a name on the way home LOL

Seriously, RB2s are the most adorable thing ever. If I ever lost my mind and bought a too it would be a RB2. Congrats on your new baby!

getwozzy said:

bullbird said:

getwozzy said:

Very cute baby!!! Have you guys picked out a name yet??

Here are some chili threads

Let's play 52 card pick up - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

Chili being silly (as usual lol) - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

Chili dancing to "Happy" - Parrot Forum - Parrot Owner's Community

Click to expand...

we are waiting on the dna test to come back before we pick a name. So many good names out there!

Click to expand...

When are you expecting the DNA results?

My hubby didn't want to name Chili until he saw her, so the day we picked her up at the airport I had my 100,000+ baby name book with me so we could pick a name on the way home LOL

Click to expand...

Visited our baby yesterday and while I was sure our little guy was in fact a GUY our DNA results say she is a girl! I am pumped either way, we chose her because we felt we felt we had the best connection with her! My wife has started to call her Lily, but that's just in the test phase. please send ideas our way!