Duolingo just officially revealed the violent way Duo the owl died and I’m not okay

After the shock announcement yesterday that Duo the owl has met an untimely end, Duolingo has finally revealed the official cause of death.

Duolingo even released some very real, definitely-not-edited footage of the tragic moment when the owl died.

It appears the luminous green bird was loitering on the pavement, not learning any languages, when a car drove straight into it. A fiery explosion erupted. The Duolingo owl was dead on impact. The bird was blasted through the sky, and into outer space. Its spirit appears to have settled in hell. I guess that’s what happens when you pester people too much.

UPDATE: Reward for whoever can identify the driver. Please post any leads on Twitter.

Thank you for your patience with us during these trying times. #Ripduo pic.twitter.com/zv8QxtNh9E

— Duolingo (@duolingo) February 12, 2025

Duolingo is also offering a reward for anyone who can identity the driver apparently responsible for the owl’s death. Surely the crime would count as owlslaughter, if not murder?

The app wrote on X: “UPDATE: Reward for whoever can identify the driver. Please post any leads on Twitter. Thank you for your patience with us during these trying times. #Ripduo.”

The Duolingo owl is believed to have died at approximately 3pm on 11th February. Duo the owl’s long-term crush, Dua Lipa, paid tribute to the deceased bird earlier this afternoon. She wrote: “Til death duo part” and added a heartbroken emoji.

Til' death duo part 💔 https://t.co/XqVUTK5E0V

— DUA LIPA (@DUALIPA) February 12, 2025

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Feature images via Duolingo’s Twitter.