Duolingo shares new update after dramatic and deeply confusing death of Duo the owl

The world was shocked this afternoon when Duolingo announced the death of their beloved/loathed mascot, Duo the owl. Duolingo has now released a new and very official statement confirming the bird’s untimely demise.

A spokesperson told The Tab: “We can confirm the statements in our recent social posts are true. It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved mascot, Duo the Owl. For years, he tirelessly reminded millions to do their language lessons—sometimes with gentle nudges, sometimes with sheer, unhinged persistence. But even the most relentless of birds can only take so much. Our app icon reflects this tragic loss with ‘Dead Duo.’

“There is an ongoing investigation that we cannot comment on extensively at this time. We know no owl as dedicated as Duo just drops dead without a story. Keep an eye on our social channels as we uncover the shocking (and possibly absurd) truth behind his untimely demise.”

Duolingo clarified, “We are not actually asking users to publicly share their credit card information (unless they want to help pay for Duo’s extremely expensive funeral, of course—kidding!).”

Er, so it sounds like the icon of the Duolingo app will change for a while, then there will be a load of social media posts investigating the potential causes of the Duolingo owl’s “death”. Maybe the ghost of Duo will start haunting us and telling us to complete our daily Duolingo class? I wouldn’t put it past him, to be honest.

The Duolingo social media page tweeted that the owl had croaked it at 3pm this afternoon.

an important message from Duolingo pic.twitter.com/jTTT680yVs

— Duolingo (@duolingo) February 11, 2025

Duolingo’s Twitter and Instagram accounts have already changed their profile pictures to a very deceased-looking version of the owl. Tragic.

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