"It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved mascot, Duo the Owl," a Duolingo spokesperson said in a statement. "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."

Yesterday brought some tragic news in the world of fictional language-learning app mascots: the Duolingo owl is dead. “It is with heavy hearts that we inform you that Duo, formally known as The Duolingo Owl, is dead.