It's TRUE!

Kind of....

We all know Staci Ferguson aka 'Fergie' is taking time off to spawn some babies with her hunky hubby Josh..

But what you MAY not know is that the boys in the band want to keep making music, so they're on the hunt for a female to hop on board for awhile as part of the Peas!

Now Will.i.am, Taboo, and Alp.de.ap are clear:  You are here until Fergie wants to come back.

No word on the length of Fergie's maternity leave, but it could be a few years til she's ready to come back.

I say... HIRE DEZ!!!