Welcome back! I'm wondering what form you think might suit me. I've gone back and forth on forms for a while, but I'm so indecisive and I think I'm letting some bias get in the way as well. So here goes:
INFP-T; Enneagram Type: 9w1; Clifton Strengths: Empathy, Harmony, Discipline, Ideation; I most align with Neutral Good in morality alignment; I'm a librarian with a strong interest in wildlife sciences.
hey sorry i took so long on this! i went into a bit of a deep dive and didn't finish before our trip!
you're in good company -- i took forever to decide on my form, and sometimes it's helpful to have outside suggestions to give you a new perspective on form ideas! don't be afraid to settle if you keep coming back to the same form... though i do understand the desire to have a form that fits absolutely perfectly haha.
INFP 9w1 and by your strengths i can see a lot of your energy is devoted to the mediator nature of the 9. there can be a potential for conflict between the Fi-dominated INFP and the nature of the 9, melding the deep personal system of Fi with the 9's desire to keep harmony. there's an emphasis on open-mindedness and empathy in this type of INFP, though on the other side of that coin may be a difficulty in asserting oneself or stress when reality cannot pan out in the way Fi and the justice-seeking 1 wing envision. Fi/Ne's job is to absorb inspiration, theories, ideas and then take space to self-reflect and refine their value system.
cranes feel really fitting. most species are going to be loyal to their closest bonds, overall socially tolerant, generally calm and noncompetitive while also protective (with some species more assertive than others), flexible but not necessarily spontaneous or adventurous, and very disciplined in their work. the emphasis of your personality on harmony while also being true to your personal morality and beliefs really stuck out in crane behavior as well as their overall symbolism. cranes are generally sociable, but species differ in seasonal social behavior -- during breeding season they're more territorial, while during the non-breeding seasons they tend to be gregarious and differing degrees of cooperative. all cranes are highly vocal and tend to be generalist feeders within their habitats, often prioritizing a feeding strategy that minimizes competition with other species. they're also migratory and of course are known for how they pair bond for life and build incredible nests, with both parents assisting in raising the young. i was looking at some of the more independent but still socially flexible species for you, especially in the antigone genus.
the white-naped crane is a species native to east asian wetlands that tends to be found in smaller groups; pair bonds cooperatively build and defend their nests. i think this is a great option if you resonate with the traits above but are looking for something a bit more reserved while still loyal, tolerant, communicative, flexible, etc. if you're looking for a species that isn't migratory -- if you're someone more willing to adapt within your niche rather than change directions, perhaps -- check out the sarus crane. a they're massive birds that tend to congregate in large flocks that are made up in smaller social groups. they're very robust within their territories with not a lot of natural predators and not a lot of competition for foraging. they're going to be more confident than the white-naped crane (more defensive and their nests are much more conspicuous), which might not fit you as well, but the brolga could be a happy medium with being more reserved and found in smaller groups, while also being non-migratory but willing to be adaptable and open-minded with their partially nomadic habits. the red-crowned crane is similar to the brolga in nonmigratory habits while also being extremely socially tolerant like the sarus crane due to not having any natural predators. i think they'd be a great option as they really hit the 9w1 aspect of peaceful yet principled, and their social habits imply an empathetic and harmonious person who can get along with many types. they may also be a degree more sensitive and prefer a reliable comfort zone compared to other species, considering their specific habitat preference of deep water and how threatened they've been by habitat destruction.
sorry that got long! let me touch on one more bird species before we move to mammals. if the crane seems too confident and gregarious, a much more reserved and private species idea would be the buttonquail. they're not true quails and are actually more closely related to gulls and shorebirds. something like the quail-plover is monogamous and found alone or in small groups, has a preference for peace and conflict-avoidance, and can have a nervous energy. buttonquails in generally are still willing to be protective over their personal values; the females in most species are the territory-defending ones who will call to males during breeding season. while some species are migratory (see black-rumped or red-chested if this is an important quality to you), most are going to be emblematic of someone who likes to stay in their comfort zone, tends to be unobtrusive and harmonious, mostly flexible to avoid future stress or conflict but can be stubborn in their area. the common buttonquail is pretty representative of these traits.
into mammals! i wasn't sure if these would be too non-disciplined and potentially too reserved for you, but i thought raccoon dogs could be a good fit, or maybe certain species of foxes. these species as a whole are going to be selectively loyal and more boundary-keeping, less socially tolerant and prefer time independently or with their chosen few. the common raccoon dog and japanese raccoon dog are largely similar but visually distinct; the japanese raccoon dog adapted to life specifically on the islands of japan and are smaller and better climbers. both species are going to be comfortable being independent but loyal to their chosen people, tend to be reserved and conflict-avoidant, not terribly ambitious or change-seeking, and are cooperative and dutiful friends. the common raccoon dog is going to be more of a generalist and the japanese more niche-driven. fox species, even among the more social, are going to be someone who is more reserved and private, someone who is comfortable alone and in their own head. like the raccoon dogs, they value stability and harmony, and so while they're more reserved they're definitely willing to be cooperative and prefer to go the peace-seeking route first. i do tend to think of canids, vulpini included, as more Ni/Fe mostly in terms of their foraging and social behavior, but i feel like they're really perfect for the 9w1. an arid species like the cape fox or pale fox seems like a good choice for an INFP!
if i'm completing missing your social mark, i also wanted to throw out the hedgehog. they're extremely private and most species only socialize during breeding season. this is someone who is comfortable being by themselves and with who they are, and maintain a sense of inner peace but avoiding getting wrapped up in others' conflicts. they're socially tolerant -- the friendly, polite, and quiet type of person. well-meaning and can be sensitive, definitely have their particular preferences but are willing to be curious and like to stay mentally busy. of course they're known for curling into a tight ball when threatened, indicating someone who is firmly boundary-keeping when it comes to their privacy and values resiliency in the face of stress. not the most ambitious or assertive. the european hedgehog is going to be the best example of all of these traits, though hedgehog subspecies tend to be pretty similar just with different ecological niches. some differences include the long-eared hedgehog which feeds strictly on insects and may be less of a generalist, versus the daurian and small-toothed hedgehogs who are more adaptable.
and finally a reptilian suggestion: boas reminded me a lot of your description. they're classic enneagram 9w1s; all species are going to be unobtrusive people who are highly intuitive and perceptive and value a stress-free environment. boa people are reserved and private -- maybe too private for you, but in translating animal behavior, i would consider boa people as the types to enjoy comfortable friendships but not be too overly sentimental about social change. tend to be even-tempered, tactful, easy to get along with. may be prviately ambitious but more so highly disciplined and value following a lifestyle that aligns with their personal morals, tend to be single-miinded invested in their interests. so many options for these beautiful snakes. tree boas in the corallus genus are a bit more ambitious as highly efficient hunters, while the sand boas in the eryx genus are more resilient, perceptive, patient. if you're looking for more sociable, the calabar python is exceptionally calm and tolerant, quite comfortable being socially manipulative.
and lastly let me toss out moths! the atlas moth and death head's moth are two of my favorite forms for the internal and passive INFP, someone who values patience and simplicity, though has something of a curious and wandering heart. most moth forms are going to be similar to this, as well as tactful, polite, and willing to bluff to get out of situations rather than be assertive. intuitive and doesn't get too attached to people or situations... has the sort of perceptive that their home is inside their chest, etc. may not be disciplined enough for you and tend to move between projects and ideas as their inspiration shifts.
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