Actually, it's true.
A close examination of the hummingbirds in my yard reveals the tiny wires and harnesses they use, operated by concealed assistants in the overhead trees.
Seriously, as the article you cited showed, the "proof" was an oversimplified calculation, and the guy doing it knew it.
How insects and hummingbirds fly IS complex, and much more interesting than just "flapping their wings." Engineers have had some fun trying to duplicate the process.