Expectant dove sets up shop atop Pearland PD cruiser

PEARLAND, Texas (KTRK) -- Pearland's bird sanctuary ordinance has come in handy for a mother mourning dove who has taken up residence with her eggs on a police cruiser.

The noble bird is stationed on the windshield of unit 187, which has been taken out of service for the foreseeable future. Per the bird sanctuary ordinance, it is illegal to shoot, trap, ensnare or otherwise catch any wild bird within city limits.

According to the police department, the average gestation period for a mourning dove is approximately two weeks. It takes another two weeks for fledging, after which point the baby birds stay in the nest for another two weeks to be fed by their father.

Officials expect the eggs to hatch in a week or so. The department will provide updates on the birds' condition on its Facebook page.

Report a typo to the ABC13 staff