
Image via Duolingo / Apple App Store
The Duolingo owl has seen better days.
Last week, users began noticing that the icon of the free and popular language-learning app was “melting” on their screens. On a regular day, the outgoing mascot would glance back at the beholder with earnest-looking eyes. However, his features (yes, it’s a he) recently became molten in a terrifying way.
The deformed appearance seemed to show up on the home screens of both iOS and Android users who had their app updated to the latest version.
As it turns out, this is a cry for help, or rather, attention.
A spokesperson for Duolingo told Distractify that the logo is currently looking this demented so as to “encourage learners to open the app.”
The bright green bird, with his larger-than-life personality, has been known to demand external validation, occasionally twerking, throwing tantrums, and posting thirst traps on social media.
Thankfully, the owl will revert to his usual self soon, as this is a “limited-time” change. Those who can’t wait can swap out the app icon for an alternative version, as Digital Trends points out. However, you’ll need to be a member of Super Duolingo, Duolingo Max, or the Streak Society to be entitled ot those designs.
[via Evening Standard, Digital Trends, Distractify, Brand New, images via various sources]