The Umbrella Academy season 2 takes the Hargreeves siblings back to the 1960s, and their knowledge of the future is perfect for a season packed with pop culture and historical Easter eggs. What fans may not know is that series was hinting at its season cliffhanger ending from the beginning of its first episode.
The show’s social media accounts teased 43 sparrows sprinkled throughout the 10 episode season. Here are all 43 sparrow symbols, as well as some additional references to sparrows and other birds, hidden throughout season 2, in order of appearance. Keep an eye out for them the next time you watch The Umbrella Academy!
Dairy Products Truck
The Swedes seize a Goldfield Farms Dairy Products Truck, and a sparrow can be seen on the side.
Psychiatric Facility Bathroom
The sparrow appears on the bathroom wall before we see Diego and Lila’s group session with Doctor Moncton.
Harlan’s Toy Sparrow
When the audience first meets Harlan, he and Vanya are playing with a collection of wooden toys. Harlan holds on to a sparrow toy through the season, and it is the same toy he levitates in the finale while Sissy drives them to California.
Harlan’s Record
Harlan plays a record on the record player when Sissy comes home and it has the sparrow symbol on it.
Beer Tap
Klaus and Ben walk to Jay’s Elbow Room after their car breaks down. Klaus asks the bartender when the next bus to Dallas will arrive, and a sparrow can be seen on a beer tap.
U.S. Mail Collection Box
Luther throws Carl out of the Carousel Club, and a sparrow can be seen on the U.S. Mail Collection Box when Vanya picks him up.
Chart In Elliott’s Apartment
Five listens to a radio report for fugitives on the run, and a sparrow can be spotted on a chart attached to one of Elliott’s gadgets.
Bread Box
A sparrow quickly appears on the white bread box next to Diego while he, Five, Lila, and Elliott watch the Frankel Footage.
Bird Flying At Vanya
Vanya and Harlan play hide and seek, and a bird flies at and startles Vanya when she enters the barn to look for Harlan. This could possibly be foreshadowing for Harlan being involved with the Sparrow Academy in the third season. It wouldn’t be the first time a bird was used as foreshadowing, such as in “I Heard A Rumor” (S1E8), when a bird flies in front of Allison’s throat, which is later slit in the same episode.
The Cat Lady’s Refrigerator
The Swedes terminate a cat lady and use her house as a home base. Otto and Oscar play a knife throwing game while Axel cooks, and a sparrow can be seen on the side of the refrigerator.
Paper Under The Mexican Consulate Invitation
Five and Diego search for Hargreeves at D.S. Umbrella Manufacturing Co. Five discovers an invitation to Hoyt Hillenkoetter’s gala, and a sparrow is printed on the paper underneath it.
Episode 3’s Umbrella Intro
The umbrella formation created by birds while Klaus and Ben flee Destiny’s Children in episode 3 is another possible reference to the importance of birds in the series.
Police Station Clipboard
Ben threatens the police to release Raymond from jail using a typewriter, and a glimpse at the clipboard lying on the desk reveals a sparrow.
The Handler’s Bath Towel & Headscarf
A sparrow is embroidered onto the bath towel in The Handler’s hotel room. Another sparrow rests on her headscarf while she reviews Five’s files.
Nu-Shol Paint Can
One sparrow can be seen on a Nu-Shol paint can at the hardwire store Dave works at. Every other can of the same paint brand features a tree.
Bag Of Pet Food
Lila goes to the pet store to retrieve a room key from the treasure chest in the fish tank. A sparrow can be seen on a bag of pet food next to the cat food poster.
Room Service Menu
Lila asks to order room service and a sparrow is printed on the menu cover.
Wooden Box On The Handler’s Desk
A sparrow is printed on a wooden box sitting on The Handler’s Desk in a flashback with young Lila.
Liquor Store Door
A sparrow sticker is on the door of the liquor store that Klaus goes to after Dave punches him in Stadler’s diner.
Mexican Consulate Kitchen Wall
The kitchen wall at the Mexican Consulate gala has a sparrow on it when the Swedes enter the room.