Duolingo Mourns the Mysterious Death of Its Iconic Mascot, Duo the Owl

2025-03-01

Duolingo, the popular language-learning app, has announced the death of its iconic mascot, Duo the Owl, in a series of tongue-in-cheek social media posts and statements. The green owl, known for his persistent reminders to users to complete their daily lessons, passed away under mysterious circumstances, sparking an investigation into his cause of death.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Duolingo expressed its sorrow over the loss of its beloved mascot, joking that Duo “probably died waiting for you to do your lesson.” The company also hinted at the possibility of foul play, noting that Duo “had many enemies.” Authorities are reportedly investigating the incident, with Duolingo cooperating fully. The brand even shared a video suggesting that Duo was hit by a Tesla Cybertruck in a parking lot, launching the owl into the sky and prompting a social media call for help identifying the driver.

The announcement has sparked a wave of reactions online, with brands and users alike mourning the loss of the internet-famous owl. Companies such as Baskin Robbins, Cheez-It, and Fashion Nova left humorous condolences on Duolingo’s social media posts. Netflix added to the intrigue by sharing a video of Duo being eliminated from the hit series “Squid Game,” raising questions about whether the post was a tribute or a clue.

Duo the Owl, who debuted with the app in 2011, became a cultural phenomenon over the years, evolving from a simple 2-D logo to a fully animated character known for his “unhinged” and sometimes menacing reminders. His popularity soared on platforms like TikTok, where he interacted with trending memes and audio clips. Duolingo has embraced the owl’s quirky persona, describing its brand tone as “wholesome and unhinged.”

As part of the marketing campaign, Duolingo updated its social media profiles and app icon to depict Duo with Xs over his eyes, signaling his demise. The company also jokingly encouraged users to share their credit card information to sign up for Duolingo Max in his memory, though it clarified that this was a humorous request and not to be taken seriously.

While the stunt has drawn comparisons to other brand mascot deaths, such as Mr. Peanut’s temporary demise in 2020, Duolingo has yet to reveal what’s next for Duo. For now, the internet continues to mourn the loss of the beloved owl, whose legacy as a relentless yet endearing figure in the world of language learning remains intact.