Duolingo confirmed on Tuesday that its iconic mascot, Duo the Owl, has died. The language-learning app did not reveal the cause of death but said an investigation is “ongoing.”
“It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved mascot, Duo the Owl,” a company spokesperson said. “For years, he tirelessly reminded millions to complete their lessons—sometimes gently, sometimes with sheer, unhinged persistence. But even the most relentless of birds can only take so much.”
In a social media post, Duolingo joked, “He probably died waiting for you to do your lesson, but what do we know.” The company also teased a possible suspect, saying: “We’re currently investigating Jimmy,” without offering further details.
To honor Duo’s memory, Duolingo sarcastically encouraged users to share their credit card numbers for an automatic upgrade to Duolingo Max. A spokesperson later clarified that this was a joke and warned users not to disclose their financial information.
A TikTok video posted on Tuesday showed other Duolingo characters Lily and Zari carrying Duo’s coffin before loading it into a pickup truck and driving away. The company has not yet announced plans for a replacement mascot.